A Cuff Above The Rest

Whether its sleek and modernist cufflinks for a work meeting, or more ornate gemstone designs for an evening event, cufflinks can add a classic touch of style and elegance to an outfit. 

If you are looking for a special present or simply to treat yourself , there is no better way to elevate your outfit than with a pair of classic vintage designer cufflinks.

Below we highlight some special pieces from our cufflink collection , all of them from celebrated Scandinavian and European designer names.

1. Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube Silver Ball Cufflinks for Georg Jensen

Above : Georg Jensen silver cufflinks designed by Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube  

These stylish sterling silver vintage modernist ball cufflinks were designed for top Danish firm Georg Jensen by  renowned Swedish designer Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube .

Viviannna was one of Sweden's most important 20th century silversmiths . Famous for her sleek sculptural minimalist style, her work took inspiration from natural forms such as flowers, leaves and water.

She created beautiful jewellery including rutilated quartz necklaces, moss agate pendants and silver mobiles for the shoulders and neck.

During the 1970's she undertook freelance work for Georg Jensen and was the designer for some of his most celebrated pieces including "Mobius"' , "Hidden Heart ", "Beans" and 'Forget me knot'.

For more on this designer see our article Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube Jewellery

2. Bent Knudsen Modernist Silver Cufflinks.

Above : Bent Knudsen modernist silver cufflinks

Bent Knudsen (born in 1924) was a celebrated Danish silversmith and jewellery designer. In 1946 he began working at Han Hansen's silversmithy in Kolding, Denmark where he remained for 10 years developing his own distinctive style. He had originally trained at the Cohr workshop in Frederica. He was one of a small number of designers in the 1950's to have received craftsmanship training. 

In 1956 he opened his own workshop with his wife Anni, who shared the same design ethos. This was based in Kolding, Denmark. They created minimalist jewellery pieces with a simple clear style often using hematite, amethyst, or malachite accents. The production was very elegant and wearable. 

The  simple modernist cufflinks above with clean cut lines are typical of Bent Knudsen's style. They are marked with his signature "BENT K" and "925S" on the rear of each cufflink. For more example of his work see Bent Knudsen Jewellery

3. Ernest Blyth Modernist Silver Cufflinks

Above : Ernest Blyth silver cufflinks

Above : Vintage Lapponia, Finland silver cufflinks

These modernist silver cufflinks are by Finnish firm Lapponia. They are rectangular in shape with an abstract design, and have Finnish silver hallmarks and the Lapponia makers marks to the rear.

Lapponia was created in 1960 by Pekka Antilla and Bjorn Weckstrom.

After originally focusing on gold jewellery Antilla realised that he needed more original designs to succeed in international markets.

Bjorn Weckstrom was a designer with a unique style that took inspiration from the rugged landscape of Finland. 

Weckstroms designs with unique finishes reflecting Finland's fjords and rocks were particulary admired and Lapponia received much acclaim for their innovative work.

In 2005 Lapponia was acquired by another Finnish firm Kalevala Koru.

5.  Norman Grant Silver Cufflinks

Above : Vintage Norman Grant, Scotland silver cufflinks

These silver cufflinks by Scottish designer Norman Grant have a bubble type design a typical natural motif seen in his work. They have silver hallmarks for Edinburgh 1971 and makers marks "NG on the rear.

Norman Grant studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen , Scotland in the 1960’s. In the late 1960’s he started to design jewellery, generally combining translucent enamel with sterling silver. 
He was influenced by the landscape and natural forms around him. Plant cell structures, stamens, petals, shells, seaweed and other natural forms can be seen in his early designs.

His work with it's colourful, distinctive, nature based forms was picked up by London stores such as Harrods and Liberty’s and also Marshall Field and Bonwit Teller and Co in the USA. 
In 1976 he established Dust Jewellery , with his workshops located in Fife Scotland. They continued producing jewellery until the 1990’s. For more on Norman Grant and examples of his work see  "About Norman Grant Jewellery".

6. Bernard Hertz Carnelian and Silver Cufflinks

Above : Bernard Hertz carnelian and silver cufflinks

These lovely antique red carnelian and solid 826 silver floral design cufflinks are by Danish silversmith Bernard Hertz.

They are estimated to date from the 1910's to 1920's and are marked "826S  BH".

Bernard Hertz, was a Danish goldsmith who started his own silversmith workshop in Copenhagen in 1887. 

His production focused on modern style jewellery with flower motifs, and also replicas of ancient jewellery.

In 1887 he introduced machine power into his production. This allowed Hertz to reach a wider base of customers. He also began producing jewellery in silver instead of gold.

The firms output covered most of the major style eras, however their most prominent period was in the early 20th century years where they were at the forefront of the Danish Art Nouveau style , called “Skonvirke”.

7. Hans Hansen Denmark Modernist Silver Cufflinks

Above : Vintage Hans Hansen "Peak" cufflinks by Bent Gabriel Pedersen

These quality modernist silver "Peak"# 640 cufflinks are by Danish firm Hans Hansen . They are  designed by Bent Gabriel Pedersen and are signed "HH 925S DENMARK" on the rear of each cufflink. 

Hans Hansen (1884-1940) founded his own silver smithy in the town of  Kolding, Denmark around 1906.

By the 1920's Hansen was making his own line of products.  Initially the firm produced flatware before moving into jewellery making .

They employed many notable designers including Bent Gabriel Pedersen, Bent Knudsen, and Allan Scharfe.

The company has a reputation for superb quality modernist design. For more information on this designer see "Hans Hansen Jewellery"

8. NE From, Denmark Silver Cufflinks

Above : Vintage NE From cufflinks by Bent Gabriel Pedersen

These stylish NE From cufflinks feature sterling silver discs with an oxidised silver finish. The rear of the cufflink are signed with makers marks "STERLING DENMARK NE FROM ".

Neils Erik From (N.E.From), a Danish silversmith and jewellery designer was born in 1908. He  opened his first workshop in 1931 at the relatively young age of  twenty-three .

He went on to become one of the top names in Danish design with a career spanning 40 years.

In his early career his jewellery featured floral inspired designs sometimes set with semi precious stones. He took inspiration from the "Skonvirke" style - this was a Scandinavian term for Denmark's Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movement.

Later on his jewellery designs featured more modernist clean lines with asbstract geometric shapes.

For more information on this designer and his work see "About NE From Jewellery"

9. Brodrenne Bjerring Danish Silver Car Cufflinks

Above : Vintage Danish Brodrenne Bjerring car cufflinks

These lovely rare sterling silver Danish Brodrenne Bjerring car cufflinks are estimated to date from 1960's to the 1970's.
They have makers marks "STERLING Brdr Bj DENMARK" on the rear.
Brodrenner Bjerring (The Bjerring Brothers) were a Danish jewellery design firm. They were in operation from around 1962 to 1988 .
They mainly used silver, semi precious stones, and enamel in their work and were known for their quality modernist pieces.
Their designs often displayed clean minimalist lines and geometric shapes, typical of the design ethos of the time.
Their jewellery is highly sought after today by collectors. 

10. Links of London Silver Concorde Cufflinks

Above : Links of London concorde cufflinks

These stylish vintage sterling silver Links of London Concorde plane cuff links are signed "LL" and have silver hallmarks for London 2003 .

Links of London produced jewellery between 1990 and 2006 before they were taken over by the Greek jewellery firm "Folli Follie." Links of London had a reputation for creative jewellery designs and affordable luxury.

Article by  Modern Vintage Style

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