Antique Brass Button Guard for Button Polishing naughty The front of the postcard

The front of the postcard is signed with what looks to read R

which dates to the 1880s

which is part of what I really like about it

Indonesian or Vietnamese

2 7/8" across at widest

Antique Brass Button Guard for Button Polishing naughty The front of the postcardThis is the second of these old brass button guards I've had in the shop, which I just love the look of, and which I think would make a great line making and design tools. C.. 1910 20's, I believe these would particularly have been used for polishing buttons on uniforms, with the "teeth" of the guard closing tightly around five buttons at a time, while protecting the fabric of the coat or jacket to which they were attached. Really a smart design I