Pair of antique intaglio cut cufflinks with toadstools & cloverleaves

Extremely rare & beautiful cufflinks in 835 silver with toadstools and cloverleaves cut under rock crystal in the high quality intaglio technique. The reverse crystal intaglio started as a fashion in 1862 when the first example was shown at the international Exhibition in London. The underside of a smooth, domed piece of rock crystal was deeply carved and then painted in minute detail and backed with a slice of mother-of-pearl so that the subject slightly magnified by the dome of crystal, looked as if it was curiously suspended in its glassy cocoon.