Featured Pair of Blue Guilloche Enamel Cufflinks? Unmarked

Each oval is ~0.690" long, ~0.450" wide, ~0.0080" thick; total weight, the set, is ~7.5 grams. The figure-8 links are ~0.425" long.The black dashed borders bars are enamel as well, an' show blue in a few places. Perhaps guilloche isn't correct, as the pattern beneath the blue enamel isn't the usual repeated carved geometric motif, but otherwise I don't know what to call it. The appearance is of gold, but the weight an' complete lack of marking makes that improbable, imo. I would appreciate your correcting my various assumptions, an' adding, if possible, where an' when made. Thanks for lookin'!

 

Beautiful, whit. I agree, not guilloche, but I get what you mean. It is called basse-taille enamel, shallow cut.

 

VERY good, AJ...Thank you sincerely!
The name suggests French...is that possible?

I found this...fascinating, an' suggestive of some age for these cufflinks:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basse-taille

 

That blue is a French favourite, but frankly I don't know. Basse-taille enamel was also made elsewhere.
Maybe @kyratango can tell you.

 

Guilloché, whether enameled or not would be engine-turned, when the enamel is over a design or texture in relief it would be basse-taille, the opaque enamel border is a simple taille d’epargne motif.

Are you referring to the terms for enamel techniques? If so, it wouldn't necessarily indicate French origin - they're used for enamel-work in general...

~Cheryl

 

Oh, the delight of learning another arcane phrase!
Thanks, Cheryl!

 

Ah but can you pronounce it?

 

aille-tay epargne-d’ay?
No, that can't be right...
Sigh.

 

The Jewelry knowledge here's always absolutely stunning ! I doubt if there's many better jewelry ID sites on the web.
PS-Nice piece Whit.

 

This article shows a Victorian piece, but also mentions the Medieval origin of the technique:

https://www.langantiques.com/univer...21_byTZv_pON0qz1TYe-kurcnf-KWtnS00T1TlSC1oEEQ

 

Excellent link, AJ...Thanks!

 

I don't specifically attribute blue enamel to French making, as well as basse taille enamel... Without marking, I can't say

 

How very disappointing.