CUFF LINK

Stamped silver cuff link disc from one end of a cuff link, circular in plan with an up-turned edge which probably originally extended to an out-turned lip, judging from other examples referenced below. On the face is a raised design of a heart with a flame rising from the top and two oblique arrows in saltire behind it (Lewis Form 1, Type B). The raised design is surrounded by a stippled background within a raised circular border. Corresponding recessed areas on the back suggest the design was stamped. The loop on the back is oval with a flattened outer side and is formed of circular sectioned drawn silver wire soldered onto the back of the disc. The cuff link would have been used with a matching pair to attach two edges of the cuff of a sleeve to each other by slotting the discs through holes in the fabric and using an elongated silver link that would have connected the two attachment loops together.

Cufflinks with attachment loops can be seen in the following records: YORYM-2C3C87 (2011 T240) and NMS-761DE7 (2011 T832). Cufflinks and buttons with this design of the flaming heart pierced by two arrows are considered to have originally been produced to commemorate the marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza in 1662, but continued to be used as a general symbol of love and marriage until the end of the century.

Many similar cuff links have been recorded on to the Portable Antiquities Scheme database as Treasure, but the closest examples are in records ESS-00FEF2 (2006 T499), KENT-575EB6 (2013 T210) and SOM-7BFED3.

Ref: Lewis, M (2013) 'Data Sheet 46, 'Crown and Heart' Buttons and Cufflinks', Finds Research Group AD 700-1700, p.6, fig.9, Type B.