Forsyth - Vintage Gold Plated Blue Stone Double Pair Of Cuff Links In The Original Box (VA015)

Forsyth - Vintage Gold Plated Blue Stone Double Pair Of Cufflinks In The Original Box. The cufflinks are crafted from gold plate over metal. These cufflinks feature two square shaped simulated blue stones, two oval simulated blue stones, vintage styling, and quality craftsmanship. The first pair of cufflinks are square shaped with a wonderful grooved pattern and textured finish. They are bezel-set with beautiful deep sapphire blue gems. The second pair exhibit a lovely diamond cut square shaped frame set with square shaped deep blue gems, displaying flashes of purple, green, and blue colour in different light intensities. They also have an extended decorative mesh looped strap. Both vintage pairs are in wonderful condition, and in perfect working order. 

Note: The cufflinks are accompanied by their original box. 

History: Around the 13th century, shirt cuffs were held together by ribbons, ties and strings. As men’s shirts and fashions changed, so did their cuffs and in the 17th century early forms of the cufflinks we know today emerged.

The stitched buttonhole was developed and tailors fastened these cuffs with two ornamental buttons attached by a chain. Named by French tailors as boutons de manchettes, or ‘sleeve buttons’ became popular with the upper classes. Jewellers began to create these sleeve buttons in silver and gold, adding semi-precious gemstones or stamped designs and thus the cufflink was born.

Cufflinks were properly introduced in the 17th century and King Charles II recognised for his style, King Charles II popularised cufflinks by regularly wearing them in public, helping to influence the people’s opinion on these statement accessories.

The 18th century saw an increase in the usage of cufflinks. Worn by royalty and aristocracy which helped to increase the popularity of cufflinks. They were also used to commemorate royal occasions and special events, much like they do today. Gentlemen of this time would be gifted cufflinks, creating collections of cufflinks.

However, it wasn’t until George Krementz, a German immigrant, and the industrial revolution, that the cufflink market was completely revolutionised. Inspired by the manufacturing process for bullets, in 1876, Krementz utilised this method to begin creating cufflinks in mass. Like most jewellery of the Victorian period, designs became more exuberant and ostentatious. Gold and silver cufflinks were at their peak and were covered with extravagant and intricate designs, often finished with glorious gemstones. The middle classes started to wear cufflinks and one design that shone in this time included writhing and intertwined snakes, which are now referred to as ‘Victorian Serpents’.

In the early 1900s more cufflinks were being worn than ever, with stunning and colourful enamelled cufflinks being popular – this is still true today. After the First and Second World Wars and the shortages that ensued, men liked to embellish their outfits with a wide range of accessories and cufflinks. By the end of the 20th century men’s shirt makers had begun mass producing shirts which included buttons already on the cuff, decreasing the use of cufflinks. As the fashions started to change and be influenced by the French, their double cuff (which we call the French cuff) made its way to England and sparked a resurgence in cufflinks. In 1924 the Boyer fastener system was invented and thus the modern cufflink as we know it was born. A new and modern cufflink that was created with the intent of making cufflinks easier to wear and secure onto cuffs, this remains one of the most popular methods of fastening cufflinks in the world today.

Measurements: Cufflinks (Mesh) 30.00 mm x 18.00 mm    Cufflinks (Oval Gemstone) 17.00 mm x 15.00 mm 

Stone Size: Simulated Gemstones (Square) 14.00 mm x 14.00 mm    Oval 13.00 mm x 10.00 mm 

Weight: Cufflinks (Large) 25.00 grams    Small 16.40 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1960