Antique Cufflinks with "Essex Crystals" of Cute Cairn Terriers in Gold, c. 1890

The Sweetest Pair

Antique Cufflinks with "Essex Crystals" of Cute Cairn Terriers in Gold, c. 1890

€ 1,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Two cute terriers gaze at us from these cufflinks. One is white, the other light brown; both have alert eyes and pricked-up ears. But these two dogs aren’t simply painted or even photographed: They are carved from rock crystal, with astonishing detail—and here’s what makes them special: they’re carved from the back! Each of these gold cufflinks features an engraved rock crystal, known in the trade as “Essex Crystal” or “Reverse Intaglio.” The natural crystal, cut into a round cabochon, has been recessed on its reverse side in the style of an intaglio and then hand-painted. You have to move the figures and view them from the side to fully appreciate the impressive three-dimensional effect. The craftsmanship is exceptionally detailed, and the color work is also of remarkable precision: the dogs’ tongues, for example, were not only painted red but first dusted with gold powder to make them gleam as if damp. The rock crystals rest on mother-of-pearl plates and have been set in gold. On the back of each is a round plate that can be unscrewed, allowing the cufflinks to be put on comfortably. Reverse intaglios of this type were developed in Belgium around 1860. They often depict hunting scenes, horses, or dogs and were mostly used for men’s jewelry. After they quickly became a huge success, particularly in Great Britain, the production of exceptionally high-quality examples also began in Idar-Oberstein. The raw material—rock crystal from Brazil—was readily available here, as was the expertise of the gem cutters and engravers. Essex Crystals remained popular well into the early 20th century. We date this pair to the final years of the 19th century.

Size & Details

The Sweetest Pair

€ 1,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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The Sweetest Pair

Cufflinks

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