Two gold cuff links, Russia, 1894-1918
Plague is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. These cufflinks contain pictures of two different strains of these bacteria. The names of the strains are engraved on the back. The plague-causing bacteria were discovered in 1894. It is believed that these cufflinks were made by Fabergé, the celebrated Russian jeweller. The use of these images on the cufflinks suggests the pride taken in the discipline of bacteriology.
Object number:
1981-1605
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: cuff links
A decorative fastener worn by men or women to fasten the two sides of the cuff on a dress shirt or blouse.
Glossary: plague
An acute contagious fever with high levels of mortality. Both the 'Black Death' that swept Europe in the 1340s and the Great Plague of London in 1665 are believed to have been bubonic plague.
Glossary: bacteriology
The study of a group of single-celled organisms called bacteria.
Glossary: bacteria
Micro-organisms which can cause disease but have an important role in global ecology.