What does bespoke mean? It’s an adjective for anything commissioned to a particular specification. It comes from the verb to bespeak, meaning to “speak for something”. In today’s terms it’s the opposite of off the rack, basically made to a customer’s specifications. Perfect for that hard to find pressie.
Reece Witherspoon once said, “My rule is, if it’s not moving monogram it. Think engraved cufflinks.
When selecting a bespoke gift it shows that you have taken the time to have something made personal for your recipient. Also, they will see it’s fun to wear an accessory with their initials on it.
By choosing a gift of bespoke cufflinks for all occasions you demonstrate you have put extra thought into choosing a really special gift. They say ‘it’s the thought that counts’ and this is true with bespoke cufflinks. It demonstrates you know the person well and have gone out of your way to choose the perfect present.
Some gifts are easily forgotten, but by personalising cufflinks they will be kept forever. There is often a story behind the gift, which will remind people of a happy time making it even more special.
Bespoke cufflinks for all occasions can be given to your friends or family. With their initials expertly engraved it makes the cufflinks gift extra special.
Which begs the question why did people originally engrave. In ancient times it was used to honour their gods and rulers. Stone carvings, which have been found in the Serengeti Plains of Africa have proved that ancient man engraved on stone 500,000 years ago. Carved gemstones which are known as cameos have been found in Egypt and Rome. Thousands of cameos were carved, depicting likenesses of ancient leaders like Alexander the Great the Roman historian Pliny the Elder. As we know cufflinks hadn’t yet been invented, so no engraving there yet. See previous blog on Hallmarked sterling silver cufflinks - have a guess where they started life.
Engraving was also used as a symbol of wealth in ancient times. Those bespoke cufflinks for all occasions will exude luxury. Around 3,000 BC carvers started engraving seals. They were often made of gemstones like soapstone and were carved with intricate designs. It’s thought that most wealthy folk during these times owned at least one seal.
Lots of engravers in ancient times used engraving as we do today to decorate items that are needed in everyday life – cue cufflinks. The same carvers that made the seals also carved and polished thousands and thousands of beads.
One of the main purposes of engraving through the ages has been to record history. Amongst the most commonly engraved items found in Egypt was the scarab. It was an oval shaped carving that looked rather like a beetle. It was often worn as an amulet to remind Egyptians of the afterlife. These engravings have helped us understand Egyptian history.
So don’t forget bespoke cufflinks for all occasions as the answer to your gift dilemmas or go on treat yourself to some specially engraved cufflinks.
Angie Mastroyiannis
Author