George Street Celtic Revival cufflinks, circa 1900.

The Celtic Revival

In the late 1800s there was a renewed interest in the arts and ornament of ancient Ireland. Jewelry makers and designers of the era adopted the intertwining, flowing lines of Celtic design. These finely crafted gold cufflinks are a wonderful example.

Celtic Revival cufflinks, circa 1900.

Beautifully crafted in 14kt gold, the cufflinks were created by George Street & Sons, jewelry makers based in New York. George Street & Sons specialized in richly crafted gentleman's jewelry, including cufflinks, watch fobs and signet rings. The firm was particularly adept at using the sculptural qualities of fine gold to create flowing, richly detailed jewels.

Celtic Revival gold and citrine brooch, circa 1875.

Interest in the arts and ornament of ancient Ireland initially arose in the mid 1800s with the work of Irish antiquarian/artist George Petrie and the discovery of the Royal Tara brooch in 1850. Unfortunately, this initial wave of the Celtic Revival was submerged by the tsunami of Revival styles (Greek, Etruscan Egyptian, Renaissance, etc...) embraced by the mid Victorians.

In the late 1890s, Archibald Knox reignited the fervor for Celtic design. Working as a designer with Liberty and Co., Knox created the popular Cymric and Tudric lines decorated with sinuous, interlaced curves. The George Street cufflinks illustrated in this note are an example of this second wave of the Celtic Revival.