Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, I found Joseph Dante's phone number on the internet and I called him. This was at the birth of the internet when privacy issues weren't a thing, though I actually couldn't believe I found him. He was shocked to be called out of the blue. I simply told him I was a collector and couldn't find any info online about the Dante signature.  

I don�t know if hes still alive but I recall the half hour conversation we had. Joseph came from a long line of Italian jewelry designers. He said he had a studio in NYC in the 1970s and 1980s and he designed jewelry for different houses in NYC. He produced some of the most astonishing cufflinks the world has ever seen. I believe when his line became successful is when he decided to sell the company. I know there is info online that he sold to Shields but I recall him saying that deal didn't go through. He said he was still designing some jewelry with friends but was mostly retired and spent most of his time painting. I believe he was in Florida.  

Part of our conversation was about his designs. I recall him saying that big bling was in and he mentioned how he imported all of his stones and crystals from all over Europe. We also talked about his big bold gold designs and he said, "Well yeah, big gold men's jewelry was in style, and we just made cufflinks that were bigger and bolder. They sold like hot cakes! No one else was making cufflinks big and bold in gold metals and I think we set the trend." I laughed and said why yes, you most certainly did! We had a very friendly conversation and he was very talkative and lively. 

These big and bold gold metal cufflinks feature a diagonal half and half "jagged" design. One half is polished gold metal and the other is deeply etched. The middle diagonal line is a jagged line. I admire the unique style of his closure wraps as they are not mesh. They are glistening yellow gold metal bars. Of course the construction is solid and weighty as they were meant to endure the test of time. The faces are 3/4" wide. 

The pair is in pristine clean like new condition with no imperfections or flaws. The toggles are in perfect working order. Under serious close inspection or magnification, only some very light hints of fine scratches can be detected on the polished gold areas on the faces. Both cufflinks are signed Dante. 

Comes gift wrapped and shipped in a new luxury presentation cufflink box as pictured.