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A Link to the Past
From gaudy, provocative designs to exquisite examples set in gold and embedded with precious gemstones, cufflinks are a sharp way to add flair to classic formalwear.
Discover MoreReverse Intaglio Rock Crystal Horse’s Head Cufflinks
№ 956C/PR
460 Admirers
A good pair of reverse intaglioAn engraved stone, the opposite of a cameo, with a recessed design cut below the surface of the stone. Intaglio designs are common for signet rings and fob seals. rock crystal cufflinks. A reverse crystal intaglio is a rock crystal cabochonA polished, not faceted, dome shaped stone - either round or oval with a flat polished base, primarily used as a cut for phenomenal stones such as cat's eyes and stars.
with an intaglio carved into the flat back. The intaglio was also painted realistically with oils so, that when viewed through the top, the image appears three-dimensional. Finally, the back was sealed in order to preserve the painted areas. The technique originated in Belgium c. 1860 and is attributed to an artist named Emile Marius Pradier. This technique was also practiced in England by Thomas Cook and his descendants who made crystals for Lambeth & Co.
Production of a reverse crystal intaglio begins with the mining and cutting of fine rock crystal from Brazil or Madagascar. A well-formed cabochon is the key to a beautifully made reverse intaglio and the tedious process of hand polishing it to perfection had to be completed before the design work could begin. A watercolour of the image was painted on the underside of the cabochon and an oil and diamondA precious, lustrous gemstone made of highly compressed carbon. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials known to mankind. Colours of diamonds range from colourless, yellow, orange and brown to almost black. Natural coloured (or ‘fancy’) diamonds can be extremely rare. The cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond are the criteria jewellers use... dust mixture was used along with up to 250 scribing tools to carve the design into the interior of the crystal “…the deeper the carving the more pronounced trompe l’oeil effect.” Once the carving was established the painting process began with extremely fine brushes and paint working in reverse to create incredibly detailed images.
The motifs most commonly found are sporting themes – horses, dogs, foxes and birds. This relatively secret process passed through family members, so keeping it exclusive and expectations of quality were very high. They remained in fashion until poorly made glass and plastic imitations flooded the market c. 1920s. They were made circa 1900-1910. They are very collectable today, and are hard to find, especially in good condition.
Guaranteed Christmas DeliveryTuesday 17th December
Date & Origin
Edwardian (1901-1914)
English
English
Provenance
English
Condition
Very good
Discovered
10 years ago
We are pleased to offer FREE SHIPPING on all purchases to our customers in the USA.
All orders are fully insured and dispatched securely from London, England by our trusted partner, DHL Express Worldwide.
Guaranteed Christmas Delivery
Tuesday 17th December
We calculate all customs, taxes and duties at checkout, to ensure a smooth journey with no unexpected fees along the way.
When purchasing items over 100 years old:
- Customs, taxes and duty DO NOT apply
- We will mark your package as 'antique, over 100 years old', to ensure no unexpected additional fees
When purchasing items under 100 years old:
- Customs, taxes and duty DO apply
- All customs, taxes and duties will be calculated at checkout and added to the total cost of the order
- Small, shipment-related fees, in the region of $40.00-$80.00, can also be added later and vary from state to state. The AJC cannot take responsbilitiy for these fees.
We offer a 30 day, full money-back guarantee on all purchases.
Customers from the USA will pay for return postage and any customs, taxes and duties applied.
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Buying vintage jewelry is both ethical and eco-friendly as harmful and destructive mining processes are not needed to make an item yours. So give yourself a pat on the back!
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4.9
Out of 413 Reviews
"A wonderful vendor with kind, thoughtful and helpful staff. They respond quickly, honestly and clearly to any queries or requests. The items they sell are unique, top-quality, exactly as described, in excellent condition. This is the most trustworthy vendor of antique jewelry I have encountered."
"Lovely jewelry exactly as described plus super efficient service."
"The most gorgeous antique jewelery that I have found and amazing customer service! They are very responsive via email and even more generous in person, when I visited on a trip from the States."
"My pendant totally exceeded my expectations in every way!! It is very lovely...prettier than the pictures which were very good. It was in a beautiful presentation box and packaged extremely well for shipping. I received it much faster than I imagined I would. Excellent little jewel and experience with the AJC!!!"
"LOVE the Antique Jewellery Company - their selections are impeccable. They were so professional and helpful in selecting my ring. They sent me several images and videos, and told me all about the history of their special Edwardian pieces. They took thoughtful care in shipping and communications overseas. I will definitely be a return customer!"
"Quality, elegance, and one-of-a-kind jewellery all describe the pieces you will find at The Antique Jewellery Company. Olly and her team provide expert service and an excellent array of choices. My favorite place to shop in London. Really wonderful!"
"Incredibly helpful and attentive service. Always quick to respond and they even sent additional photos at my request. I’m based in the US and it felt like the shop was just down the street. Definitely my go to Antique Jewelers."
"The two rings I purchased are beautiful - I feel like I'm wearing history. They arrived in San Diego promptly, as promised. Thank you!"
"Wonderful company! The ring was just as lovely as shown in pictures and exactly as described. Beautiful wrapping/box- so special! I would and will be purchasing from them again - amazing and unique jewelry."
"Amazing service when I ordered two items while in China to be delivered to me in New Orleans for my birthday (I live in NYC.) The service was impeccable. Things arrived on time and they were even better than pictured. I will visit when in London and continue to browse and buy."
"This is my favorite antique store to visit in London. I've been there my last two trips to London and each time I've gotten amazing pieces. Olly has a great eye and a wonderful collection to select from. I definitely plan on going the next time I'm in London!
"I live in the United States, and working with AJC was easier than going into a store here! They were easily accessible and we even did a video Skype session for additional looks. They had the ring sized and out and shipped to the USA by the next day. Simply an amazing customer experience!"
"Olly was so lovely and helpful, which is exactly what you need when you're buying an engagement ring."
"Item clearly represented on site. Great communication with staff. Very fast shipping to me in Florida, USA. Great experience all around. Will shop again."
"The service is impeccable, the selection exceptional, and the pieces have always arrived on time, as advertised, and well packaged. The best recommendation I can give is I will return next year to see what new and interesting pieces are available for another holiday gift."
"I absolutely love the gorgeous ring I purchased! Client service is fantastic. Shipment to the US was fast and tracked in detail the entire journey. I’m a returning customer and will definitely purchase again! Excellent business!"
"I've purchased several pieces from the Antique Jewellery Company. Each item was even more beautiful upon arrival than shown in the online images. The service is exceptional - ever friendly and prompt. Highly recommend."
"I live in the United States, and working with AJC was easier than going into a store here! They were easily accessible and we even did a video Skype session for additional looks. They had the ring sized and out and shipped to the USA by the next day. Simply an amazing customer experience!"
"Always wonderful to work with. Piece was even beyond expectation! I will be back for more wonderful items!!"
"Veautiful pieces; skilled, informed and highly educated staff; always a delight to work with... wonderful!"
"I really appreciate their quick and genuine customer service, and I would recommend The Antique Jewellery Company any day! I'll for sure be a return customer. :)"
"Found a beautiful, one-of-a-kind antique ring with the help of my now fianceé. They went above and beyond in providing extra pictures and any information that they could upon request. Couldn't be happier with the purchase."
"The best of the best when it comes to high quality antique jewelry!"
