A finely modelled pair of 18ct gold cufflinks that were made in France circa 1890-1910. The winged griffins are each seen grasping a diamond in their mouth, which is their prey.
They were made in the Art Nouveau period. This was an artistic movement which peaked in popularity between 1890 and 1910 and influenced all fields of art, architecture and applied art. It is a French term meaning “new art” and is characterised by organic and plant motifs as well as other highly stylised forms. It was also heavily influenced by oriental art.
It was in 1854, Japan reluctantly signed the Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity, which ended the island chain’s seclusion that had been in place for more than 200 years. The Americans, Russians, and British governments were all eager to capitalise on the new resources available, but it was France, under the leadership of Napoleon III who built shipyards in Japan in exchange for the right to import Japanese goods. The introduction of both modern and antique Japanese artistic designs created a fascination with dragons, lotus flowers and other natural themes that significantly influenced the motifs of the Art Nouveau period. These 18ct gold cufflinks epitomise the period. They are easy to put on as they have curved and hinged backs
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