The Edwardian Age was a time of handsome style, great socio-political rumblings, and the last few years of innocence before The Great War and the turbulent decades to follow. This week, we've been sharing a few offerings from the Edwardian cufflink collection at LEO Design.
Let's end our tour of Edwardian cufflinks with this interesting trio of sterling silver shirt studs—connected with a silver chain. Before World War I, sewn-on buttons had not yet become popular. Prince or pauper, a man needed shirt studs and cufflinks to fasten the plackets on his shirt. In even earlier times, men would tie or lace their shirts to close them (and many shirts were designed to be pulled-over the head).
This set of fancy shirt studs bear a turquoise enameled fleur-di-lis on each sterling silver stud. One might find this interesting, given historical British antipathy toward the French (and their famous icon). But there has been a long history of fleurs-di-lis on English heraldry, especially on medieval royal insignia—especially during those periods when the English king was claiming the French throne.
Three shirt studs is the traditional number in vintage dress sets—a vexing reality for many modern (and taller?) men who prefer four or five. In the past, only three were required. A flatter (and more workaday) stud would be used at the neck, under the tie. The same, flatter stud would be used in the bottom one or two holes—to be hidden under a vest or cummerbund (or tucked into the pants). Today, men sometimes forgo a vest or cummerbund and they want four matching studs. Sometimes I can find them a fourth to match (or, one which is close in appearance).
The reason these studs are linked with a chain is for security, to prevent the loss of a stud during an active evening on the dance floor.
Please click on the photo above to learn more about these handsome shirt studs.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248