Victorian Cufflinks with Diamonds, c. 1900

Legacy of the Inca

Victorian Cufflinks with Diamonds, c. 1900

€ 1,190.00 ^*

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!

In the late 19th century, a new, never-before-seen type of piece of jewellery emerged: so-called "novelty jewellery" caused a sensation with new, surprising and previously unthinkable shapes and material combinations: birds suddenly settled on swings and became earrings. Many everyday objects found their way onto the lapels of ladies and gentlemen, such as tennis rackets, golf clubs and stamps, but the technical world was also reflected in this fashion. Machines, miniature automobiles and the new telephone were surprising focal points. The purpose of these items was to provide a starting point for conversation in society. At birthday parties, a brooch with the year of birth of the person being celebrated could be a nice gesture, while a fox brooch could complement the wardrobe on a hunting trip. Even skulls with batteries glowing from their eyes were offered to add a macabre yet cheerful accent to a dinner party. This pair of cufflinks, which came to us from London, belongs to this stylistic environment. The sculpted showpieces each depict the head of a South American Inca with a headscarf and headband. To compare the motif, we have reproduced a print based on a design by the French illustrator Édouard Riou (1833-1900), whose depictions of Inca types from the 19th century are iconographically close. Two small diamonds set subtle, sparkling accents. The pair was crafted from sheet gold over a silver core. Firmly attached, curved bars connect the heads with oval toggles. This form of cufflink was widespread in the years around 1900; comparable cufflinks can be found, for example, in W. Grasser / F. Hemmerle: Kostbare Manschettenknöpfe, Munich 2016, p. 54. The number of different motifs available to fashion-conscious gentlemen at the beginning of the 20th century can be seen at last. A look at the catalog of the French manufacturer Bijou Fix from 1911, for example, shows just how many different designs were available to fashionable men at the beginning of the 20th century. We have reproduced a corresponding page; the entire catalog can be viewed at here to view it.

Size & Details

Legacy of the Inca

€ 1,190.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

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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.

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Legacy of the Inca

Cufflinks

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