Sexy Links
A cufflink (also cuff link or cuff-link) is a sweet fastener that many people refuse
to sport these day! #sadface. Appearing first in the early-16th century as a ruffled
wristband finished with small openings on either side that tied together with
“cuff strings;” they would remain popular well into the nineteenth century. We can
thank our dear friend LOUIS XIV for bringing forth boutons de manchette, or
“sleeve buttons,” which were typically identical pairs of colored glass buttons joined
by a short, linked chain. “By 1715, simple, paste-glass buttons had given way to
pairs of two, decoratively painted or jeweled studs, typically diamonds,
connected by ornate gold links. Hence was born the cuff “link”, whether simple
glass buttons or gilded and bejeweled studs.”
Related articles
- Forming an Attachment (observer.com)
- Hobby Hall of Fame (Jun, 1953) (modernmechanix.com)
- Robert Graham USB Flash Drive Cufflinks (luxist.com)
- Man’s (Second) Best Friend (weddingbee.com)
