1970s Geometric Cufflinks by Swank, Gold Metal Squares

Handsome geometric cufflinks in shiny gold metal.

Geometric Cufflinks Details

• Interesting cufflinks with a large X filled with shiny gold metal balls.
• Gold balls are on a background of black enamel creating a very dimensional look.
• Bullet toggle close.

The History of Swank

Swank began in 1897 when Samuel M. Stone and Maurice J. Baer founded the Attleboro Manufacturing Company to produce and sell women’s jewelry.  In 1908, Baer formed a new division, called Baer and Wilde, to produce men’s jewelry with Stone in full charge of Attleboro Manufacturing. The new Baer and Wilde division operated alongside the Attleboro Manufacturing Company until 1918 when the Kum-A-Part cuff button was designed and became an instant success.  

During World War I the Attleboro Manufacturing Company produced thousands of metal identification tags, better known as “dog tags,” and other emblems for the military.  After the war, the women’s line was ended and the company began to exclusively produce men’s accessories including collar buttons, pins, tie clips, and dress sets.   The name Swank first appeared in 1927 on a print ad for a men’s collar holder and in 1936 the company incorporated as Swank Products, Inc. In 1941 the name was changed to Swank, Inc.

Once again war came calling and Swank put accessories on hold to manufacture precision parts for automatic weapons plus the purple heart and the bronze star medals.  After the war, Swank become one of the leading manufacturers of men’s accessories including cufflinks and tie clips.   In the 1960s and 1970s, the company purchased several leather goods companies including Prince Gardner Company, a manufacturer of men’s and women’s leather goods marketed under the Prince and Princess Gardner brand names; Crestline Manufacturing Company, and the Alco Leather Manufacturing Corporation.  Leather goods were sold under various labels including Swank, Pierre Cardin, and L’Aiglon.   They also manufactured fragrances under the Royal Copenhagen name.  In the 1980s and 1990s, Swank reentered the women’s jewelry market with the Anne Klein label and received a license to manufacture jewelry and accessories with the Guess? label.  The company is still in operation today.