Practiced throughout history – in every culture and on every continent – poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values. Adopted by UNESCO in 1999, World Poetry Day is an occasion to honour poetic expression, whilst also celebrating the convergence between poetry and other creative arts.
In creating the 886 Poem Cuff, Creative Director Dominic Jones was simultaneously inspired by the rich tradition of expressive poets and the 1,100 year-old heritage of The Royal Mint in precious metals.
“Many coins have traditionally featured messaging in the form of text and poetry, and I wanted to bring that in it’s a beautiful, hidden element celebrating the material itself.” Dominic Jones
The Poetry of Precious Metals
The 886 Poem cuff features inscriptions from 19th century English poets Thomas Hood and Walter de Mare, chosen by Jones to appear as a hidden message for the wearer on the Gold and Silver cuffs respectively.
Each poet explored our enduring fascination with the precious metals themselves, beyond their fundamental use as a portable form of wealth:
On the gold Cuff, Gold!,
BRIGHT AND YELLOW, HARD AND COLD
MOLTEN, GRAVEN, HAMMERED AND ROLLED,
HEAVY TO GET AND LIGHT TO HOLD,
HOARDED, BARTERED, BOUGHT AND SOLD.
On the silver Cuff, Silver
WALKS THE NIGHT IN HER SILVER SHOON;
THIS WAY, AND THAT, SHE PEERS, AND SEES
SILVER FRUIT UPON SILVER TREES.
Behind The Design
The 886 poem cuff is made onsite at The Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales. Drawn and struck according to traditional coin-making methods, the process of being hammered, pulled and forged into shape leads to a piece that is stronger and more durable than casting. Equally, the design reflects the brands heritage of The Royal Mint by interpreting in a novel way, the profile of a gold bullion bar.
In a clever feat of design and craftsmanship, the part that touches the skin is narrower than the smooth edge seen from the top, giving the subtle impression that the cuff is floating on the skin. This unique lightweight effect is achieved whilst the cuff itself is made of solid precious metal, lending it a satisfyingly weighty sensation on the skin.
Shop The Collection
The cuffs are available in three alloys and a variety of thickness and sizes for the perfect fit.
 |
 |
 |
| 886 Cuff in 18ct Yellow Gold in large thickness | 886 Cuff in 9ct Yellow Gold in medium thickness | 886 Cuff in Sterling Silver in small thickness |
