Early Mythical bird hunt/livery button by rare maker.

A gilt brass livery button, approximately 25mm in diameter, with a gently domed face and shank back. The front bears a finely detailed crest of a bird of prey, wings raised, standing on a twisted wreath and holding a serpent in its beak, within a rope-twist border. The reverse is marked “WHITEHEAD & SONS, WORCESTER” within a beaded circle, a provincial maker’s mark, less commonly seen than the major London and Birmingham button houses.

This style of button was typically worn on the livery coats of hunt servants, gamekeepers, or estate staff, with the crest identifying a particular hunt, family, or household. The specific crest here has not yet been matched to a named hunt or family, so further attributions from collectors are welcome.