The Mesmerizing Cufflinks of Wordley, Allsopp & Bliss

WAB gold and black cufflinks, circa 1925.

The Mesmerizing Cufflinks of
Wordley, Allsopp & Bliss

During the the 1920s Wordley, Allsopp & Bliss (WAB) created a collection of yellow gold cufflinks with mesmerizing centers and dramatic black enamel borders. The design of the cufflinks reflected the Art Deco interest in abstract geometric patterns and striking visual affects.

WAB richly detailed oval cufflinks, circa 1925.

Often I discuss at length the cufflinks illustrated in this blog. But sometimes it is best to let the cufflinks speak for themselves. The beauty and elegance of these cuff jewels needs no explanation.

WAB circle and diamond cufflinks, circa 1925.

One of the pleasing aspects of this collection of cufflinks is their balanced design. The first two cufflinks illustrated at the beginning of this note are richly detailed, but the design is not overly cluttered. While the cufflink immediately above is somewhat plainer, the elegant simplicity of the design is beautifully accented with a sparkling diamond. Just the right balance of pizazz and simplicity for the cufflinks to be interesting without being over embellished.

WAB bull's eye cufflinks, circa 1925.

Wordley, Allsopp & Bliss created fine cufflinks from the early 1900s into the 1930s. They were prolific makers who catered to a wide variety of fashions and tastes.

The elegant black and gold cufflinks pictured above date from the 1920s or possibly early 1930s. By the 1930s jewelry tastes were evolving. The warm tones of yellow gold were being displaced by the cool elegance of white gold and platinum. The angular, starker designs of Art Moderne came to predominate. A striking example by WAB is pictured below.

WAB Art Moderne cufflinks, circa 1930.

These and other fine cufflinks from the past can be found
in the Antique Cufflink Gallery.

Recent Additions

Recent additions to the Antique Cufflink and Antique Stickpin Galleries include an elegant Art Deco dress set by Carter, Gough and a golden menagerie of winged lions, basilisks and flying serpents all perched atop late Victorian stickpins.

Art Deco Elegance  The Art Deco era was a time of striking, elegant design.  This dress set with pearl and mother-of-pearl centers and stylized bell-flower borders beautifully captures the spirit of the age.  Crafted in 14kt gold,  circa 1930.

Winged Lion and Pearl  The Victorians populated their stickpins with a teeming menagerie of flying lions, griffins, winged serpents and fiery dragons.  This charming example features a winged lion emerging from elegant foliate scrolls.  crafted in 14kt gold,  circa 1900.

Basilisk and Pearl  A regal basilisk presents a luminous white pearl.  A basilisk has the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a serpent - one of the fantastic creatures favored during the Victorian era.  Beautifully crafted in 14kt gold,  circa 1900.

Winged Serpent  A winged serpent warily grasping a small pearl.  This little fellow has a lot of charm. The perfect miniature gargoyle to keep demons from your lapel.  Beautifully crafted in 14kt gold,  circa 1900.

Dragon and Diamond  A fierce dragon protectively cradles a small sparkling diamond.  The Victorians loved to enliven their jewels with a teeming menagerie of dragons, griffins, basilisks and other fantastic beasts.  Crafted in 14kt gold,  circa 1900.

The above fine cufflinks and stickpins from the past,
can be found in the Antique Cufflink Gallery
and the Antique Stickpin Gallery