Russian gold, diamond and sapphire cufflinks

Description

A pair of Russian gold cufflinks,lozenge-shaped, with diamond-set trefoils and two sapphires, chain links.
In original fitted burgundy leather case stamped Cyrillic F. Butz S.Peterburg with Imperial Warrant

By Friedrich Butz, each stamped with maker’s mark and gold mark for 56 Zolodniki, assay master Yakov Lyapunov, St. Petersburg 1899-1908

Friedrich Butz, goldsmith and diamond cutter, established his company in the reign of Nicholas I. He received the title of Purveyor of the Imperial Court and that of Court Jeweller. Friedrich Daniel Butz was appointed appraiser of the cabinet. During the reign of Nicholas II the firm was headed by Friedrich’s son Julius Agathon Butz (1847-1912). He was a merchant of the Second Guild from 1879 and an appraiser of the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty between 1881 and 1911/12. The Finnish master goldsmith Tuomas Polvinen was responsible for the production from 1886 until the firm was dissolved in 1911. Butz’s commissions to the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty between 1894 and 1911 included:
– Diamond insignia for the Russian orders and for the Ladies and the Maids of Honour
– Costly presentation jewellery
– Presentation snuffboxes
Between 1894 and 1911 Butz supplied six Imperial presentation snuffboxes with the Sovereign’s cypher . Butz was amongst the principal suppliers of presentation objects and jewellery to the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty