A 2026 Guide by Sellingantiques
9ct Gold Cufflinks by Taye Kenning & Spencer Ltd, 1960
Priced at £495 from Abersoch Antiques
Tailors began replacing ribbons and ties with small metal fasteners during the late seventeenth century.
Early forms often featured a short chain connecting two ornamental faces.
The industrial revolution allowed these masculine accessories to reach the growing middle classes.
Look for specific period markers. The shift from rigid backs to hinged mechanisms happened around the turn of the twentieth century.
Formal dress codes dictating matching sets of antique cufflinks and shirt studs for evening wear.
Fabergé produced intricate guilloché enamel examples during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Russia.
Cartier established a reputation making fine platinum and diamond geometric sets throughout the Art Deco period.
Tiffany & Co stamped their silver and gold links with marks that changed across different company directors.
The 2026 retail price guide for Antique Cufflinks is drawn from a proprietary archive of over 1.1 million retail prices indexed by Sellingantiques since 2003. This guide relies exclusively on their own internal data; no external sources or auction records are used.
Analysing nearly 25 years of UK antique market history alongside current retail values, the data indicates that typical UK retail prices for Antique Cufflinks range between £200 and £1,300. Entry-level prices generally fall under £200 and premium examples upwards of £1,300.
Identical decorative faces on both sides of the cuff.
Check the connection between the panels. Chain links offer flexibility while solid bars hold the fabric tighter.
Toggle backs feature a swivelling post. It flips flat to push through the buttonhole.
Hand chasing involves using small steel tools to push metal into relief patterns on the front panel.
Engine turning uses a geometric lathe to engrave precise repeating lines beneath translucent enamel.
Cast designs rely on pouring molten metal into a mould before hand finishing the rough edges.
"Many Victorian gentlemen matched their sleeve fasteners to their pocket watch chains and sovereign cases."
"Snap links separate into two pieces. They click together like a press stud once pushed through the shirt."
"Some Edwardian jewellers incorporated tiny hidden compartments or miniature compasses into the backing plates."
Based on almost 25 years of Sellingantiques UK antique market data, Antique Cufflinks appeared 1162 times (out of 1,100,000 antiques) which gives it a rarity score of 79/100.
This score measures scarcity within the Sellingantiques archive only and is not a survey of the entire antiques market, so these statistics may not be indicative of the general availability of Antique Cufflinks elsewhere.
Warm water with a mild soap is usually enough to remove surface grease and skin oils. A soft bristle brush helps clear dirt from chased recesses without scratching the metal.
Dry them quickly with a microfibre cloth. Leaving moisture on hinged components can encourage tarnish to form in the joints.
Push one face through the back half of the cuff before putting the shirt on. It saves wrestling with the fabric using one hand.
Once the shirt is on, fold the cuffs together. Pinch the buttonholes flat and feed the second panel through from the inside out.
The decorative faces should sit smoothly against the outside of your wrist. Neither panel should touch your skin directly.
Yes. Heavy silver sulphide tarnish transfers easily onto light cotton fabrics through normal friction.
A gentle polish before wearing prevents this. Focus on the posts and chains where the metal makes direct contact with the buttonholes.
Older antique cufflinks often feature longer chains than modern equivalents. Stiff starched collars and cuffs were the norm. The rigid fabric required extra clearance to sit correctly.
Soft modern cotton shirts behave differently. A long chain allows the cuff edges to part slightly rather than clamping them flush. Some wearers prefer this relaxed fit.
Please note: This Antique Cufflinks guide and its associated pricing data are provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute formal financial, investment, or appraisal advice and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any commercial activity, purchasing, or sales decisions. Sellingantiques.co.uk accepts no liability for any actions taken in reliance on this information. Always consult with a qualified professional or independent appraiser.
