18th or 19th century cuff links

[bergie]

Found this cool item at a Rev. War era homestead. It appears to be a cuff link, but I'd appreciate anyone confirming it. Front of each cuff link has image of cup/glass with bird at the top. As you'll see in photo they interconnect on the back so you could slip them through and shirt sleeve sideways and secure it by turning the oblong pieces parallel to each other. Size of each oblong piece is about the size of a pinky nail. Thoughts?

 

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[PBK]

Hey, Bergie—

I believe those are mourning jewelry sleeve links. The design appears to show a dove atop an urn, and both were widely used symbols of mourning in that era. It was customary to wear such jewelry for months and sometimes even years after the death of a loved one, and in some cases mourning jewelry was presented to family members and close friends of the deceased as a token of sympathy.

 

[Mona Lisa]

Looks like some kind of button/cuff links...but I'll let the experts answer that.

Nice find, Bergie.

 

[Night Stalker]

Looks like a cuff link to me Bergie Very nice find I think.

 

[trk5capt]

This Is Just A Guess, But I Think They May Be Cape Stays, They Would Hold A Cape Around The Neck. trk5capt...

 

[PBK]

Compare to these c. 1790 sleeve links or cufflinks. (Click on thumbnail images.)

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1720623/silver-monogrammed-cufflinks-c-1790#

 

[civilman1]

Excellent find Bergie....Thank God you got them out of the ground in one piece....Congrat's and HH!!

 

[hollowpointred]

really nice find bergie! whatever they are they are a great conversation piece.

 

[trk5capt]

Compare to these c. 1790 sleeve links or cufflinks. (Click on thumbnail images.)

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1720623/silver-monogrammed-cufflinks-c-1790#

PBK, You Nailed It, Way To Go. trk5capt...

 

[bergie]

Thanks for comments all and PBK for the link...that's it except mine aren't silver or as valuable...

 

[Postalrevnant]

Congratulations that is the first time I have ever seen or heard of these before. Thanks for sharing.

Rev

 

[JerV3]

Those are nice bergie.

Those are the types of things I find alot. People must have loved there cuff links back then.

HH Jer

 

[bookfisher]

Great Find Bergie. Yes those are definitely late 18th century or very early 19th century cufflinks. Way To Go!

 

[tsgman]

Those are awesome relics! Nice find. Tsgman

 

[Mainedigger]

Bergie....very nice find!!!! Congrats!!! Great job on the i.d. PBK...again.. Like PostREv, I had never heard of mourning links either so another day with something new learned.