Belgian Marcel Wolfers Art Deco Gold Cufflinks, Circa 1940

A pair of Belgian Art Deco Marcel Wolfers gold cufflinks, mounted in 18ct gold, with a maker's mark of a letter W below a boar's head and a Belgian 0750 purity mark, circa 1940. This pair of cufflinks reflects the style of Marcel's ridged silver tea sets.

Marcel Wolfers was the son of Philippe Wolfers and grandson of Louis Wolfers, who were well established Belgian decorative artists. Philippe was a key figure in Belgian Art Nouveau. Marcel was born in 1886 and died in 1976. He studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts, in Brussels, where he was taught by Isidore de Rudder, who had also trained his father. He became proficient in sculpture, ceramics, stone and metal. His career started before World War I, producing several works in 1908 and 1909, mostly concentrating on ceramics and lacquers. In 1910 he produced medals in connection with the Brussels Universal Exhibition. He joined the Belgian cavalry in 1914, rising to the rank of lieutenant. After the war he collaborated with several architects on various war memorials in Belgium. He had taken over much of the responsibility of the family firm, Wolfers Freres. He went on to produce acclaimed items of silversmithing and jewellery adopting the Art Deco style in the 1930s.

Marcel's grandfather, Louis (1820 to 1892), registered his maker's mark, a letter W above a boar's head, in 1852. His workshop was situated in 23 rue de Longs Chariots. Wolfers Freres was established in 1897. The management of the company was in the hands of Philippe Wolfers until 1929, Marcel Wolfers until 1947 and Freddy Wolfers, until production stopped in 1975. Unfortunately examples of jewellery by Wolfers are rare today.

With thanks to Wikipedia, 925 - 1000.com and Hancocks' website.

Belgian fineness mark 0750, in a lozenge came into use from a decree passed on 28th November, 1939 and enforced on 1st January, 1942.