Looks like an approximation of the Brentford Horn-cap to me:
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/Prehistoric1700/Pre
historic.htm . The primary design is based on a triskele, or triskelion,
and while it may not be based on the Brentford Horn-cap, it does
resemble Iron Age Celtic design motifs. Not exactly certain when the
horn-cap was found, but it was in the collection of Thomas Layton, who
apparently began collecting in the early 1850s and died in 1911. 


Daniel B. Davis
Archaeologist Coordinator
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Division of Environmental Analysis
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-7250
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Travis Parno
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 4:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Pewter Button ID

Hello Histarch-ers,

We recently recovered a pewter button from a mid-19th century refuse
deposit
on the Fairbanks House property in Dedham, MA.  It's not in the best of
shape so I thought I'd contact the list to see if anyone had come across
a
similar button in their travels.  Carolyn White's excellent book
describes
pewter buttons as a predominantly 18th-century phenomenon.  We'd also
love
any clarification on the decoration.  It was cast and has a decorated
face
featuring what appear to be three crescent shapes, along with other
symbols.  We've thrown around the idea that it's Masonic (due to the
crescent symbols), but we're not sure.  There are a couple of photos
posted
on our excavation blog.  Because the face is difficult to discern, I
traced
the design (as I see it!) in Illustrator.  The photos can be found here:
http://fairbanksarchaeology.blogspot.com/2010/09/pewter-button.html.

Any additional information or direction that list members could provide
would be much appreciated!  Thanks all, have a great weekend~

Best,
Travis Parno


-- 
-----------------------
Travis G Parno

Doctoral Candidate
Boston University
Department of Archaeology