Antique English Rose-Cut Diamond Enamel Cufflinks

The Doubled-Headed Eagle is the historical symbol of the Russian Empire and the Romanov Czarist Dynasty, representing the dual sovereignty of the secular and religious Czar. The House of Romanov was the reigning Imperial house of Russia from 1613 until the Russian Revolution of February 1917. The crest was adopted in the 15th century when Moscow became the "Third Rome"—the idea that Russia was the successor to the universal Roman and Byzantine empires and, as such, was destined to dominate the world. These Antique Diamond Enamel Cufflinks, made in England in the early 20th century, circa 1900s, feature doubled-headed eagles crafted in rose gold topped with silver and set with rose-cut diamonds with an estimated total weight of 2.60 carats.

It is rare to find this level of luxury decorating cufflinks in the Imperial Russian style that date back as far as these do. Fifty-four diamonds adorn this pair of eagles. As is typical of the form, two small crowns top the eagle's head, with a third large crown between them. Their geometric plumage and stylized armor-like bodies are further emphasized with milgrain, a technique popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where small grains of metal adorned the edges of a setting to complement the gemstones and extend the sparkle. The eagles are centered within blue enamel guilloche starbursts, or regularly arranged rays, bordered by yellow gold. Guilloche enamel uses a lathe to work the metal into a pattern before enameling over it. The striated texture combined with the diamonds reflects light in fascinating ways.

The reverse sides of these cufflinks are hallmarked "H.W.," consistent with an English silversmith maker's mark dating from the early 20th century. The symmetrical pair measures approx. 1.00" by 0.75" with a total weight of 22.55 grams and features a gold bullet-back closure to match the oval borders. Simple in design yet striking in appearance, bullet-back cufflinks feature a cylinder set between a pair of bars, which can be turned to secure the link in place. Statement cufflinks such as these add an unexpected dash of history to the contemporary gentleman's ensemble. Interestingly, cufflinks date back to the 1600s, coinciding with the time when the Romanovs came to power, but it was not until much later that this form of adornment was widely adopted. Included with the cufflinks is a wooden box.

Measures approx. 1.00" x 0.75". Diamond weight approx. 2.60 carats total. Overall weight approx. 22.55 grams, made in rose gold and silver, accompanied by a wood box. Hallmarked "H.W."; circa 1900s.

SKU :C1004
Category :CUFFLINKS
Metal :18KRG

No

18K Rose Gold

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