These are a wonderful example of vintage French haberdashery stock—a complete box of matching buttons that appears to have survived just as it would have sat on the shelf of a mercerie (haberdashery shop). The buttons are four-hole sew-through buttons measuring approximately 20–22 mm in diameter. They have a gently domed profile with a broad rim and a smooth, satin-polished finish. The colour is a rich charcoal grey with smoky marbling, giving them a subtle depth rather than a flat black appearance. This was a fashionable neutral colour for men’s tailoring during the 1930s–1950s. The slight marbling and silky finish are very typical of quality casein buttons. Because every button is identical, they would have been sold individually by the shopkeeper according to the customer’s needs. The box measures 12.5 x 9.5cm