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Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Pre 1910: Item # 1429733

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Moylan-Smelkinson/The Spare Room
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P.O. Box 4684
Baltimore, Maryland 21212
tel. 410-435-3738

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These beautifully crafted Egyptian revival cufflinks of sterling silver scarab beetles are the creation of Herman and Eugene Unger, German immigrants who settled in Newark, NJ and were a part of the immensely creative Art Nouveau period at the turn of the nineteenth century. Herman was the silversmith while Eugene was the engraver. Similar to the Art Nouveau period itself, their popularity was brief, not the least of which was that fact that the commercial marketplace had difficulty supporting purely hand carved and completely original designs. Their work came of age during this immensely innovative period in the United States and on the continent, during the years from 1895-1907. The scarab beetle is an ancient Egyptian form symbolizing immortality and reincarnation. It was a common motif in Egyptian revival jewelry and represented a species of beetle that paid homage to the sun-god. Note that while these cufflinks are in the Egyptian revival style, they are Of the Art Nouveau period. Authentic Unger sterling silver jewelry will ALWAYS bear the trademark consisting of a stamped circle surrounding a combination trademark and hallmark with the interlaced U and B and the words and numbers STERLING 925 FINE. We think this would make the perfect gift for the lover of original handcrafted jewelry and entomology.