Vintage mid-1960s rectangular goldtone cuff lins from Shields Inc. feature iconic MCM design: A textured or “Florentined” finish on front, with a dynamic accent of graduated triangle shapes (within a triangle!), on a black-enamelled background.

The 7/8” by ½” cufflinks have toggle backs and are stamped “Shields” inside the shanks.

The Attleboro, MA-based company began in the 1920s as a manufacturer of “Fillkwick” vanity and cosmetics cases and wasn’t incorporated as “Shields Inc” till 1936. Sold to Rex Products (of New Rochelle, NY) in 1939, its production of vanity cases was interrupted in the early 1940s by war restrictions; after WWII, Rex’s Arthur Rosenberg redirected the company to men’s jewelry and expanded, in the late 50s and early 60s, to bar and grooming accessories as well as men’s jewelry boxes. Shields Inc trademarked its Italian-sounding “Danté” line--meant to evoke European sophistication, though the items were still manufactured in Attleboro—in 1960.

These handsome Shields cuff links are in excellent condition, with minor finish wear inside the shanks.

Proud Member of the VFG Vintage Fashion Guild