Whistles have two holes on the bottom of the button
and only one on the top.
The width of the top hole must be less
than the distance across the outside of the bottom holes
to count as a whistle.
The unusual construction and the variety of decorations
make whistles a fun button to collect.
Shown here are just some on the colors and designs to look for in china whistles.

Below is a whistle button shown first from the top,
then from the bottom,
and then from the side to show the construction of the button.

NEW...click here to see an entire card of whistle buttons
and then use your back button to return.

Igloos

The igloo is the rarest of the china buttons.
If you find a stash of these in your grandmother's button box--
it's time to find a button dealer!
The igloo button was made in two pieces--
a disk with two holes and a hollow dome with two holes
down on the sides--like doors in an igloo.
The shape was designed to protect the thread from wear,
but it must have been very difficult to sew on
and very uncomfortable to wear
thus accounting for the button's scarcity.
Shown above is an all-white igloo
and one with a black dome ringed in black.
The drawing shows an igloo from the side.