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| Tuesday, October 31, 2006
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Larter & Sons Cufflinks
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Larter & Sons Cufflinks A professionally design website and excellent workmanship. I am sure you won't mind checking it out. The company Larter & Sons was originally founded in 1865 under the name Davis and Elcox. A detailed history of the firm can be found on their website, http://www.larter.com Larter & Sons (I find I sometimes refer to the firm as Larter Brothers reflecting the years that the firm was run by the second generation Larters), made a variety of cuff links and dress sets, from base metal to platinum. They produced plain pieces, but also produced gem-set pieces as well as other types of stones, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921788810.html. Larter produced under their own trademark (resembling a spring-loaded stud) and even private labeled for retailers, including Cartier New York and Tiffany. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903283.html. As far as cuff links go, I've never seen a Larter pair that I would consider an unusual or unique design. However, whether base metal or platinum, Larter always produced quality pieces, in terms of both materials and craftsmanship. Larter is still producing cuff links and their current models can be found on their website, listed above. http://www.larter.com/collections.asp?c=cufAdwin Ang http://www.adwinang.comCufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Tuesday, October 31, 2006
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| Monday, October 30, 2006
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Parks Bros. & Rogers Cufflinks
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Parks Bros. & Rogers Cufflinks
Parks Bros. & Rogers was founder in Providence, Rhode Island in 1892. The company made an immediate jump into men's jewelry with the purchase from Howard & Sons of its electroplated goods unit which included lever cuff and collar buttons.
Early on, this company was know for its pastoral scenes, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903293.html. By the time of the depression (when they went out of business), they were primarily producing gold, gold-fronted and gold filled cuff links under their "Parkroger" trademark. I find most of these later pieces to be very basic without any touch of uniqueness.
Some questions posted:
Questions and Answers
Question:
Should I only buy cuff links that I like or look at the market potential of the cuff links?
Answer:
I believe that cuff links, like any collection, should be purchased because it is something you like. This is something you are buying for your own pleasure and should be something purchased for its enjoyment, not its investment potential. That said, generally, if you buy a pair of cuff links at a reasonable price and keep it in your collection for years, it should be worth more then than when you bought it. However, whether its beat inflation or not is another issue.
Question:
Do you have recommendations regarding starting a serious cuff link collection?
Answer:
No. A serious collection has to start with first determining what you like and then learning how to identify the best quality of what you like. I personally prefer well made and well designed pieces not by the names. However, there are many individuals that only collect Cartier or Tiffany or David Webb or Vedura or other top makers of the past and present. Unusual major name piece have historically increased in value to a greater degree that name mundane pieces or non-major name unusual pieces.
That being said, whatever area attracts you, be it enamels or Art Nouveau or doers, learn all you can about the area. This will include materials, artistry and the makers. The more knowledge you have within an area, the more chances you have of picking up an unusual piece by a preeminent maker because you will see it when others do not. Good hunting!
Question:
I currently show off some of my collection in display boxes mounted on the bathroom walls -- do you have any suggestions for a better display?
Answer:
I love the idea of wall mounted display boxes. However, if displaying in the bathroom the boxes need to be sealed off from the humidity that occurs in the bathroom. Otherwise, you are inviting the advent of a rusting collection. I'll leave the rest of this open for comments from readers about how they display their collections.
Special thanks to TIAS.com
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Monday, October 30, 2006
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| Saturday, October 28, 2006
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Coin Cuff Links
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Coin Cuff Links
There are many coin collectors and they look at coin cuff links differently than I do. To a coin collector, coin cuff links should be set up in such a way that the coin is firmly secure within a framework, but there is noting actually attached to the coin.
To me, coin cuff links should be fun, and they do not need to be real coins, but could be a coin motif. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903323.html I also enjoy where coins have just been attached to each other for double-sided pieces http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921190212.html or the fun of splitting a gold and silver coin so that you can mix or match the pieces on your cuff. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903303.html
Whether you look at coin cuff links like a coin collector (which is probably a good idea if it is a valuable coin) or just for the fun, coin cuff links can project a certain image that may be helpful in trying to make it to the boardroom.
special thanks to tias.com
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Saturday, October 28, 2006
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| Thursday, October 26, 2006
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Pearl Cuff Links
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Pearl Cuff Links
Some of the most reserve, but dressy cuff links are the double-sided ones with a Seed Pearl (or slightly larger size) centered on a Mother of Pearl plaque. These pieces may have a surround in silver or white gold or platinum. They epitomize proper formal wear. These can be well made with absolutely no markings as to maker or even be by Mikimoto. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1922211300.html
Additionally, you may find pieces that highlight two different color pearls
http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903368.html
For myself, while I like to dress well, I can sometimes be more like a bull in a china shop and do not trust myself with cuff links with a pearl sticking out unprotected. If I'm going to wear a pearl pair of cuff links, I'd rather the pearl be recessed so there is less chance for me to destroy it. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903375.html
Pearl cuff links are classy and classic. They belong in the wearing collection of anyone who owns a tux or tails. There are also some unique designs that should find a home in a quality collection.
Special thanks to tias.com
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Thursday, October 26, 2006
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Pearl cuff links are represents class where ever you are. This is a cool site - I'll be back.
http://cufflinkuniverse.com
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| Wednesday, October 25, 2006
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Gems stone on Cuff Links
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Gems Stone on Cuff Links  Generally, having gems stone found on men's accessories like tie pin,cufflinks,belts and rings are common nowsdays. People are focusing much on the design and brand. One plus point to GEMS stone cufflinks is to make the overall effect of the wearer looks more sophiciated. Special thanks to TIAS.com |
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by creat3cp @ Wednesday, October 25, 2006
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| Monday, October 23, 2006
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Mexican silver cuff links
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Mexican silver cuff links
Mexican Overview
 An American architecture professor is responsible for what we hold today to be Mexican silver jewelry. He opened a shop in Taxco, Mexico in 1929 that specialized in hand crafted Mexican arts and crafts (possibly to avoid writing the book he had planned to write) which included silver pieces expressly made for the shop. That professor was William Spratling who originally focused on using Aztec and pre-Columbian designs in his work. His later work was simple and stylized a marked changed from the earlier works focused on the ancients of the area. The silversmiths in his shop were the best in Mexico and can be compared quite favorably with the best in the world. Spratling's works are quite expensive, highly collected and often faked, so if you want a Spratling piece you need to go to a reliable Mexican silver dealer or spend a lot of time researching his work so you can avoid the fakes. Coming out of the Spratling workroom were several top silversmiths that produced a variety of great cuff links. Antonio Pineda (crown Antonio mark) Is know for stone work, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920704050.html for the best knot (both in silver or silver and gold) cuff links and the fact that he only worked in 970 silver, which he believed was easier to work with and produced cleaner lines than sterling. Los Castillo was started by four brothers and is primarily known today because: 1) their mixed metal works are among the finest made anywhere, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1922143880.html and; 2) some of their early designs were created by Margot van Voorhries Carr who opened the Margot workroom following her divorce from one of the brothers. Prior to starting his own smithy Enrique Ledesma worked first for Spratling and then for Los Castillos. Ledesma is best known for his curves and swirls and the way he utilized specially shaped stones, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1922143881.html I certainly would not limit the wearing of Mexican silver cuff links to the known top makers. There are many whimsical pieces, such as what I call "peeking around the corner," http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1922143882.html which only bears maker's initials that are probably only found in the books kept by the Mexican government. I'm always happy to wear a well-made fun piece, even if I do not know who actually made it. The best wearing value is found in the well made fun pieces that cannot be traced to a major designer as they are priced accordingly and can bring you, and others, a smile. Well, there are certainly more silver craftman but this is a master you should avoid missing |
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by creat3cp @ Monday, October 23, 2006
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| Saturday, October 21, 2006
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David-Andersen's cufflinks
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David-Andersen's cufflinks
In 1876, David Andersen established a silver smithy and retail store in Christiana (now Oslo). His early items were well made, well designed (mainly Nordic themes and generally made in 830 silver). The business passed to his son Arthur on David's death in 1901. Arthur, who was the major designer for the firm, was responsible for the introduction of the use of enamel and upgrading most pieces to sterling silver. The Andersens controlled the firm for generations with a love of designing silver pieces made for adding enamel.
Some of the finest Scandinavian enamel work comes from this company. The company made many various cuff links, both in just a silver design and in enamel. The most noted enamel design is the four seasons, where the underlying cuff link is the same, but the enamel work denotes the four seasons; mainly blue for spring; green for summer; browns for fall and white and black for winter.
For the last hundred years, the marks for David-Andersen were either the complete hyphenated name or just the hyphenated initials D-A with later pieces also included a scales mark. Earlier pieces were marked in a variety of manners: with the name fully spelled out David Andersen, with the first initial and complete last name, D. Andersen and with just the initials D.A. Sometimes neither name nor initials appeared and only an early makers mark that depicted the forging tongs and hammer (not being a smith, it looks like a skinny Victorian lampshade with fringe). Highly sought after by collectors are the firm's enamel pieces and the very early pieces. This is one maker that had a focus on export to the United States, so it is probably easier to collect vintage and antique David-Andersen pieces here than in Norway.
Special thanks to tias.com
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Saturday, October 21, 2006
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| Friday, October 20, 2006
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Cufflinks on William Ruser, Fraternals & Red
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Cufflinks on William Ruser, Fraternals & Red
William Ruser
Following World War II, William Ruser opened on Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills, and quickly became one of the top jewelers to the stars. While he did make anything a Hollywood star or mogul desired, he is best known for his animals and figurals of whimsy. His unique pieces for women generally included the use of freshwater pearls and you can see many pictures of Hollywood stars, particularly Loretta Young, wearing his creations.
The same sense of whimsy extended to Ruser's cuff links, but without the freshwater pearls. Many of his cuff links provide a unique slant on various sports. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903367.html
Ruser retired in 1969. His Rodeo Drive establishment is now the Beverly Hills outpost for Van Cleef & Arpels. Ruser's pieces are highly valued by collectors for their workmanship and whimsical characteristics.
Fraternals
There are many people that collect fraternal jewelry. It goes beyond members of the fraternal organizations as the pieces are generally quite well done and often great pieces can be found for very nice prices.
Whether the piece is Masonic or involving the Elks or Eagles, Knights of Columbus or Woodsmen of America, they symbolize men getting together in fellowship and brotherhood -- probably something that doesn't happen enough in today's society! One realizes in these rooms that civility counts and opinions can be made without resorting to the trash talk of the basketball courts, talk radio or Internet chat rooms.
The fraternal cuff links can run the full gamut from base metal pieces through sterling http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903312.html, in enamel, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903371.html, in stone or other unusual materials, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903319.html into gold, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920701158.html or in platinum and gold http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920709696.html. You can also find discreet differences in pieces from various countries. While the above are all Masonic pieces, you can find similar pieces for most of the fraternal organizations and the figural pieces from the Elks and Eagles and Woodsmen of America, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921189562.html are unusual and quite wearable even if you are not a member of that organization.
Red Cuff Links
Red to go with the green from last month's issue so Christmas will be covered. If anything new comes in before the January issue, I'll provide an update so everyone can be ready for Valentine's Day.
The most precious of any red stone is a red diamond, but that is something that has not been used on cuff links. The best red gem seen in cuff links is the ruby. (A ruby is a red carborundum -- any other color carborundum is a sapphire). Most commonly, rubies are used as accents, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903382.html. You may also find them invisibly set with diamond accents in quite upscale dress sets. Garnets are used in many the same ways as rubies, including channel cut surrounds. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903316.html.
Large red cabochons may be made from jasper, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920709691.html, carnelian, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921699544.html or red coral http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903309.html.
You can also find stones where there are reddish accents within the stone itself. Certainly, there is bloodstone, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921150005.html and there may be reddish hints in pieces of moss agate http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903262.html.
Beyond actual stones, there are always pieces done in red enamel http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921909733.html. Whether for the Christmas season, Valentine's Day or just to add a great splash of color, everyone should have a touch of red in their collection.
My sincere thanks to tias.com.
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Friday, October 20, 2006
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| Wednesday, October 18, 2006
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Some Unger and Green Cufflinks
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Some Unger and Green Cufflinks
Unger Brothers
This firm is one of the most highly prized of American silver makers, both for its jewelry and smalls. However, when this firm was founded in 1872 it only manufactured pocketknives and specialty hardware. It did not start making silver jewelry until 1878 and only produced it until 1914. At that time the firm stopped making silver jewelry and started making airplane parts. It never resumed making jewelry and was sold in 1919.
The Ungers produced basic silver jewelry until Philemon Dickinsen became associated with the firm. Philemon was the major designer for Unger Brothers joining them after his daughter married one of the Ungers. Philemon's designs were produced through 1910. Unger Brothers pieces after 1910 were simpler and are not highly collected.
As to cuff links Unger Brothers early on produced double sided cuff links and later transitioned to single sided cuff links with a curved bar to a pod back. All cuff links would have the intertwined UB maker's mark for Unger Brothers. You can find most designs in both single sided and double-sided varieties. They are most noted for the patterned Arts & Crafts designs http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921149472.html or various Art Nouveau figurals, both human and animal. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1922016927.html
Unger Brothers remains one of the most collectible of all American silversmiths as the designs were outstanding and the workmanship met the design standards.
Green Cuff Links
It's always fun to add color to ones life, especially at the end of one's sleeve. The most common color to find is green and it will range the gauntlet from low-grade cuff links with celluloid or glass through mock Wedgwood http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921189561.html through stones up to gem set gold cuff links.
The top green gemstone is Emerald, which one will usually find in cuff links either as a single accent or with other high grade gemstones http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903294.html or as calibre cut stones usually found in very high end double sided cuff links. Similarly you will occasionally find rare demantoid and tsavorite garnets used in the same fashion. Usually, if you find a pair of cuff links with larger green stones, they are likely either tourmaline or peridot and sometimes, even a green sapphire.
The major stone that is often found in cuff links is jade. Please remember that there are two types of jade. The older jade is called nephrite and it usually has a grainier and oilier feel http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921909736.html. More people are familiar with Jadeite, which actually comes in almost every color, with the most highly collected being in the apple jade range. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921419222.html. There are other stones that are sometimes misrepresented as jade, although beautiful in their own rights. Serpentine is sometimes called new jade, but is softer and less durable than jade. Chrysoprase is sometimes called Australian jade, another misnomer, while much of it comes from Australia, it is a type of quartz. However, while it does make quite a fashion statement http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921189624.html it is not jade and should be priced accordingly.
Then, there is malachite. Besides coming in a wonderful banded green color, according to legend it protects the wearer from the evil eye and brings good luck. You can find malachite cuff links just showing off the color http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903292.html or carved into shapes or mixed with gold. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920701177.html
Now, designers are utilizing any green stone possible, expanding the horizons of the types of stone or rock that can be used in jewelry. Paulo Castagli has even added diamonds to speckled Thomsonite for a quite unusual feel. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1922053609.html.
Please write in about any other greens you are aware of and share your favorite green pair of cuff links.
Special thanks to tias.com.
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Wednesday, October 18, 2006
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| Tuesday, October 17, 2006
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Leonore Doskow ,Figural ,Hans Hansen Cuff Links
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Leonore Doskow ,Figural ,Hans Hansen Cuff Links
Let's look at some of the exclusive cufflinks that once made popular by cufflinkers!
Leonore Doskow Cuff Links
 
 
Leonore Doskow opened her jewelry studio in Philadelphia in the early 1930s where she developed an affluent and celebrity-laden clientele. The studio was relocated to New York City in 1936 and then to Montrose, New York in the 1960s, where it is still located. Leonore did all the designing for the firm while the business operations were first handled by her husband David and now by David, Jr.
The firm still makes cuff links, with a focus on initialed pieces, well designed silver and gold pieces as well as sports related pieces. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920704070.html or if you are into American football, try to find their current silver and gold football which is well made and one of the best looking pieces of football jewelry I've ever seen.
In addition to the sporting and basic designs, Leonore produced many unusual and whimsical pieces. She did pieces resembling the Arts and Crafts school http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920704071.html as well being an early user of overlays on silver for the animal lover. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920704063.html
Leonore Doskow is a quality American jewelry maker that has had a broad distribution. Which means that you have a good chance of finding good wearing pieces at yard sales and flea markets. Collect her rarer pieces and enjoy wearing the others, especially if you are into sports.
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Hans Hansen Cuff Links
This pair of vintage Danish Hans Hansen sterling cufflinks typifies
what is expected from the best of Scandanavian design: bold, simple
beautifully conceived and executed. Marked "925SHaH DENMARK."
Hans Hansen open a goldsmith shop and smithy in 1906 in Kolding, Denmark, where he had been trained as a silversmith at C.M. Cohr which was well know for its flatware. Hans Hansen slowly became one of the premier silverware and jewelry firms in Denmark. Almost all of the initial designs were by Hans Hansen. His son, Karl Gustav Hansen was the next major designer for the Hansen firm. Karl Gustav, similar to many of the major Danish jewelry designers was, in addition to being trained as a silversmith, was trained as a sculptor. I believe that the training of so many Danish silversmiths had in the fine arts certainly raised the overall design quality of the Danish pieces through at least World War II. Unfortunately, there, as well as most places, the cross over of fine arts to either applied arts or sciences seems to have been relegated to the "who cares" let's do business mentality.
The sculptural Hansen cuff links are considerably different from the pieces originated by the Georg Jensen smithy. Generally, the Hansen pieces are more geometric as opposed to being derived from nature. Balls in a cup http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920869450.html is particularly interesting when compared with the Jensen florals. I feel that the quality of Hansen pieces from the 1960s-80s were the best being produced (in bulk) in Denmark. The pieces were cleanly done, well designed and solid, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920703974.html.
Hans Hansen pieces generally have as a makers mark a superimposed double "H." Some later pieces may have the name fully spelled out and certain pieces from the "Future" line, designed by Karl Gustav, were marked HaH.
Hans Hansen was taken over by the Royal Copenhagen group in the early 1990s. While the Hans Hansen name has disappeared, many of its designs are still being produced under Royal Copenhagen's premier silver name Georg Jensen. Certainly, the addition of the Hansen geometric sculptural pieces was a great complementary addition to the softer Jensen natural lines. While I hate to see great design companies disappear, it is nice when their best designs have a chance to live on outside of the history book or museum.
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Figural Cuff Links
Sammy Davis Jr. Cuff Links
Sammy Davis Jr. Rat Pack cufflinks
Greek and Roman Venus De Milo Aphrodite Cuff Links
 Soul Musician Ray Charles Cuff Links Ray Charles Pianist Cufflinks | Clark Gable Cuff Links Clark Gable Gone with the Wind cufflinks | | |
I enjoy figural cuff links as they range from Greco-Roman classics done as cameos, from hardstone http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903295.htmlto Wedgwood http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920709692.html or italios through the Art Nouveau period devils and ladies http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921020567.html continuing through Marilyn Monroe and the Vargas girls as well as many 1960's cuff links that are currently frowned upon due to their now politically incorrect postures.
Beyond the basic figural are the more whimsical pieces that are my favorites. Whether they are based on mythology http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903263.htmlor the aggravations of sports. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903367.html (yes, this is my favorite pair I have for sale -- they resemble how I feel on the golf course -- and, if not sold this year, will be my Christmas present to myself). Figurals are always fun to wear and they almost always invite comments, and depending on the piece itself, may lead to quite a discussion.
Special thanks to TIAS.com - http://captainhucksbooty.com
for allowing me to re-publish the articles here.
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Tuesday, October 17, 2006
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| Sunday, October 15, 2006
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Ed Weiner & Georg Jensen Cuff Links
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Ed Weiner & Georg Jensen Cuff Links
Ed Weiner Cuff Links
This is the first article in a series about American silver/goldsmiths.
At the end of World War II, Ed Weiner was part of a group of influential silver/goldsmiths based in Greenwich Village. These jewelry makers, together with a few others in upstate New York and Northern California reestablished American studio jewelry artistry dormant since the end of the Arts and Crafts period of the early 1900s.
Weiner did not limit himself to those individuals that would venture to Greenwich Village he also entered the mainstream with a store on 53rd Street. While the more adventuresome pieces remained downtown, the midtown location did introduce modern jewelry to many people that felt Greenwich Village was just too Bohemian to explore.
Probably because of the midtown store, Weiner produced more cuff links than his contemporaries. He produced them, as he produced his full range of jewelry, in various styles ranging from what some critics have described as cubism http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921788809.html (I prefer to think of these pieces as a cross between Arts & Crafts and Art Deco) to pieces that are just plain fun http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921788808.html.
Contrary to his own proclamations, I do not believe wearing his cuff links proclaims an affinity with modern art. However, when I wear his cuff links, I am saying that I enjoy unique, well designed and well made pieces that have an artist's flair. Which may be an affinity to art, just not necessarily to modern art?
Georg Jensen Cuff Links
This is the first in a series of articles regarding foreign producers of quality cuff links. Georg Jensen is probably the most widely known silversmith, (there are also some wonderful gold pieces to be found). However, I start with this company, not solely because of its visibility, but rather, because it made cuff links from the very beginning and still produces some cuff links that were actually designed by Georg Jensen http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921699544.html (a Jensen designed manufactured in the early 1950s).
Georg Jensen grew up in a small Danish town where his father worked in a flatware factory. Georg's first job was at that flatware factory where he produced models. Probably in order to further their son's career, the family moved to Copenhagen where Georg was apprenticed to a goldsmith. As was common at the time, Georg also attended a technical school to broaden his artistic training. He started sculpting at that school and three years after he had received his journeyman's certificate as a goldsmith he was accepted as a sculpture student at the Royal Academy of Art. He gained notice as a sculptor and later as a ceramic designer, but found that he could not support himself or his family in those artistic endeavors and returned to making jewelry.
Georg Jensen jewelry clearly shows that it was made by a sculpture silversmith. He also stressed individual artistry and contrary to most workrooms of the time, other designers for the firm were able to sign their designs. Many of Jensen designers had the same broad artistic training as Georg Jensen with some already being recognized as fine artists prior to joining the Jensen firm.
When purchasing Georg Jensen cuff links, one needs to look at the marks on the pieces to determine when they were made and if one of the major designers created the piece. Another way to determine age is in the workmanship and how the cuff link is put together. Jensen's earliest cuff links had a chain connector. You will find pieces from the 30s where there is a solid connector with the back piece attached to swivel http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921149467.html. In the 40s Jensen started using what I consider the Danish swivel which is much easier to use than the type from the 30s and is still used by Jensen and most Scandinavian firms. Cuff links from the late 40s and 50s are generally fully finished while the more modern pieces just having a plain back. http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903310.html
Georg Jensen is now part of the Royal Copenhagen group that still emphasizes design and quality in all its areas. Please note that some of the designs being produced did not originate with the Jensen Company as Royal Copenhagen has acquired other fine Danish silversmiths and have merged those acquisitions into the Georg Jensen Company.
Also note that the Danish pewter cuff links made by Jorgen Jensen have no relationship to the Georg Jensen Company. Yes, Georg did have a son Jorgen, however, Georg's son always worked as a silversmith, both on his own and in the Georg Jensen Workroom.
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Helpful Resources
The best book on Jensen is "Georg Jensen a Tradition of Splendid Silver" by Janet Drucker, published by Schiffer. The Druckers are the premier Jensen dealer here in the U.S. When you speak with any of them, you know that they love what they sell. The book lists the major Jensen artists, the specific artists marks as well as the variety of maker's marks used by the Georg Jensen Company. This book is a must for any Jensen collector, but may be too much for a cuff link collector with just a couple pair of Jensen cuff links.
There are other more general books that provide some of the maker's mark information on Georg Jensen. "Warmans Jewelry: A Fully Illustrated Price Guide to 19th and 20th Century Jewelry, Including Victorian, Art Nouveau and Costume (2nd Ed.)" by Christine Romero provides a broad view of many jewelry areas and should be part of any fine vintage/antique jewelry collector's library. "Collectible Silver Jewelry Identification and Value Guide" by Fred Rezazadeh, published by Collectors Books is extremely well done and easy to use and a must for anyone owning a broad range of silver cuff links.
There are many books on Studio gold/silver smiths. One of the best for a historical prospective on American jewelers is Susan Grant Lewin's "One of a Kind American Art Jewelry Today" published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Others such as "Contemporary American Jewelry Design" by Ettagale Blauer, published by Chapman and Hall and "The New Jewelry Trends + Tradition" by Peter Dormer and Ralph Turner, published by Thames and Hudson focus on the craft and individual artists. All these books should be of interest to Cuff Linkers interested in studio pieces; however, I would not recommend adding these books to your library unless your collection (or that of your significant other) focuses on contemporary studio jewelry artists.
Special thanks to TIAS.com
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Sunday, October 15, 2006
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| Thursday, October 12, 2006
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3 Commomly asked Questions on Cuff links
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3 Commomly asked Questions on Cuff links
Questions and Answers
Question 1: Is it all right to wear cuff links that do not match? Answer: Depending on the circumstances and your own confidence level, absolutely. However, there are certainly occasions or work atmospheres where the wearing of non-matching cuff links would be frowned upon. So if you are in one of those situations and you actually care what other people think about you – then you should not wear different cuff links. But there are cuff link sets that, while they definitely go together, are different from each other from Ruser's golfing Leprechauns http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903367.html to a Swank watch set http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920571678.html, they invite comment, but still are a set and do not break the status quo. Wearing cuff links is a statement unto itself. Thus, affirmatively choosing to wear non-matching cuff links makes quite a statement about the wearer. Then again, sometimes it is just plain fun to see if anyone notices, and comments, that the cuff links are different. Question 2: My favorite cuff links do not fit through the shirt
buttonhole. How do I get shirts to fit the vintage double-sided cuff links? Answer: Currently, most mass-produced double-cuff shirts for the
U.S. market are made to fit toggle cuff links, which are the predominate type of cuff link sold in the U.S. The toggle takes a smaller buttonhole than double-sided cuff links. When doing off-the-shelf shirt shopping, take your favorite or largest pair of cuff links that you wish to wear with you and try them with the shirt buttonhole. You will probably find that double-sided cuff links work best in British made shirts. If the retailer does not have a selection of shirts with large enough buttonholes, you can always consider having shirts custom made. A basic custom made shirt will be in the same price range as the good
British made-for-retail shirts. With a custom made shirt; you can
specify the size of the buttonhole. Also make sure that the cuff itself is wide enough so that it will still lie flat after numerous washings. Whether custom made or off the shelf, it is always a satisfying feeling putting cuff links in the shirt you specifically bought to best display your treasure. Question 3: What is the difference between a French Cuff shirt and a Double Cuff Shirt? Answer: The difference between the two is your mindset. Essentially, the English refused to use the term French Cuff for something they wear almost every day. I suspect that we generally say French Cuff here in the U.S . due to the wonders of marketing as using the designation "French" imbues the shirt with a certain sense of style. If you currently do not wish to credit the French with anything, please use the term double cuff as I see no reason to follow Congress' lead and call them Freedom cuffs.
Special thanks to Paul G. Huck, Captain Huck's Booty, http://captainhucksbooty.com/
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com/
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Thursday, October 12, 2006
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| Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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Cuff links view of Huck
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Cuff links view of Huck Let's take a look at what Huck's view on cufflinks collecting and why he wear them? The below is adapated from Tias.com with permission given from Huck himself. No matter how many individuals show up wearing cuff links -- unless it is a fraternal or alumni meeting -- you should be the only one with that particular pair of cuff links. Cuff links give you a way to wear what you want and convey how you feel about yourself. You can wear one-of-a-kind pieces, flamboyant pieces, even diamonds (so much for understated power!) You can show your support for your favorite team, school, organization, type of character, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903263.html or favorite pet, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921189623.html More than any other piece of jewelry or apparel, cuff links provide the opportunity to be unique while still being within the conventions of proper dress. Cuff links can also be just plain fun. I often choose my cuff links based on what is going to happen during the day. If I expect a contentious meeting, I may gird for battle with a pair of fighting cocks or pistols, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1921189606.html or daggers, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/1920709697.html My favorite pair of cuff links for a boring meeting is the one that has the front and back parts of a horse connected by a chain. It always gives me pleasure pointing the back half toward the individual who is making the meeting boring. Finally, there are days that just need a bit of whimsey, be it with giraffes with tiny diamonds in their ears or Leprechauns having a bad day on the golf course, http://pages.captainhucksbooty.com/3559/PictPage/903367.html wearing fun cuff links can just brighten the day. What else can a man wear that allows him to be unique, have fun and demonstrate a sense of style and power? Quite simply, wearing cuff links is fun and looks good. Why collect them? Besides all the reasons listed above, cuff links are great for collecting as they are readily available at all price levels -- and are of such a great variety that I'm always coming across a pair I never seen before. Cuff links cover virtually every area of interest known to man, they are made from a variety of materials, from base metal to truly precious jewels, and they are small. A collector from Australia relates how happy his wife was when he started collecting cuff links -- his other collection is antique farm machinery. Once again thank you Huck! Do check out Captain Huck's Booty "Specializes in antique and vintage men's dress accessories, i.e. cufflinks, watches, walking sticks and smoking accessories. Our goal is to serve the needs of both the collector, who wants to fill in and expand their existing collection and those individuals who want the enjoyment of wearing unique pieces as a fashion statement".
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by creat3cp @ Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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Recycled European Change Into Cufflinks [Creativity]
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Recycled European Change Into Cufflinks [Creativity]
What do you do if the coin you are using no longer worth its value or become discontinued. One company tokens and conis has recycled discontinued European change into cufflinks, money clips, pins and etc. I guess this is one of the way to put back the value or increase the value of the coin into many fold. Also adding as a form of remembrance to the old folks. There are never lack of new and creative idea to turn things around us into something useful. Perhaps you have an idea now how to turn unused small item into cufflinks. Cufflinks wearer , I bet you won't mind addiing this into your collection as well. |
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by creat3cp @ Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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| Monday, October 09, 2006
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Charlie Lapson Burled Wood Jewelry Box [For Cufflinks]
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Wow, just take a look at this well crafted box. I would love to place all my cufflinks into this box.
The detail description is as follows:
An elegant two-toned burled wood jewelry chest for him or her. Open this chest and you will find a tray with two large compartments for your watches, loose change, cufflinks, bracelets and more. To the right you will find a ring pad that can hold five to ten rings. Lift off the tray to reveal six deep compartments for all your jewelry needs.
Dimensions: 4"H x 10"L x 7"W
Just to side track, if you own a cufflinks store online this is the best way and fastest way to reach your customer.
p.s : Video Blogging is foreseen by the world richest man, Bill Gates that will sky rock the business online.
Adwin
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by creat3cp @ Monday, October 09, 2006
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| Sunday, October 08, 2006
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Uniquely Micro Chip Cufflinks [Techno]
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Uniquely Micro Chip Cufflinks [Techno] 
This is another technology product which is married to cufflinks. As we can see the innovator must be a person who decided to make the useless IC chips for better use. Perhaps we can get a CPU or a fan next time to go along with a techky tie. The cost is $50.00. Just to side track abit, I have completed the re-organisation on this site yesteraday to give you a better navigation experience. Do let me know if there are other areas which I can improve on. p.s: The cufflinks resource guide is completed. You might also want to subscribe to our newsletter.
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site! |
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by creat3cp @ Sunday, October 08, 2006
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Pearl cuff links are represents class where ever you are. This is a cool site - I'll be back.
http://cufflinkuniverse.com