A buttonhook is a

tool A tool is an Physical object, object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many Tool use by animals, animals use simple tools, only human bei ...

used to facilitate the closing of

button A button is a fastener that joins two pieces of fabric together by slipping through a loop or by sliding through a buttonhole. In modern clothing and fashion design, buttons are commonly made of plastic but also may be made of metal, wood, or ...

shoe A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but ...

glove A glove is a garment covering the hand, with separate sheaths or openings for each finger including the thumb. Gloves protect and comfort hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease; or in turn to provide a ...

s or other clothing. It consists of a hook fixed to a handle which may be simple or decorative as part of a dresser set or

chatelaine Chatelaine may refer to: *Chatelaine (chain), a set of short chains on a belt worn by women and men for carrying keys, thimble and/or sewing kit, etc. * Chatelaine (horse), a racehorse * ''Chatelaine'' (magazine), an English-language Canadian wom ...

. Sometimes they were given away as promotions with product

advertising Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a Product (business), product or Service (economics), service. Advertising aims to present a product or service in terms of utility, advantages, and qualities of int ...

on the handle. To use, the hook end is inserted through the buttonhole to capture the button by the shank and draw it through the opening. Buttonhooks have other uses as well. At

Ellis Island Ellis Island is an island in New York Harbor, within the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York (state), New York. Owned by the U.S. government, Ellis Island was once the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United State ...

, screeners known as "buttonhook men" used buttonhooks to turn immigrants' eyelids inside out to look for signs of

trachoma Trachoma is an infectious disease caused by bacterium '' Chlamydia trachomatis''. The infection causes a roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids. This roughening can lead to pain in the eyes, breakdown of the outer surface or cornea ...

Buttonhooks on display at Bedford Museum & Art Gallery

File:HornWoodButtonhooks.JPG, File:SilverHandledButtonhooks.JPG, File:TrenchArtButtonhooks.JPG, File:PocketKnifeButtonHooks.JPG,

References

External links

Silverdale Buttonhooks2013 Exhibition of Buttonhooks, Buxton Museum & Art Gallery, Buxton, Derbyshire, U.K.
Textile closures {{fashion-stub