Few animals are as synonymous with Britain as the bulldog. From propaganda posters to fashion runways, this sturdy, determined dog has stood as a national mascot for over a century. In 2010, Links of London translated that symbolism into miniature form with a sterling silver charm — a bulldog wearing a top hat, hallmarked and ready to march straight onto charm bracelets and necklaces.
Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
Bulldogs as British Icons
The bulldog’s association with Britain took hold in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the breed’s squat, muscular frame came to symbolise strength and resilience. By the Second World War, it was cemented as an emblem of national spirit, famously linked with Winston Churchill. Today, the bulldog appears everywhere from sports mascots to couture runways, always carrying the same message: toughness with charm.
Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
Animals in Jewellery Design
Animals have always been a rich source of inspiration for jewellers. Ancient Egyptian scarabs, Georgian dogs and horses, Victorian insect brooches, and Cartier’s mid-century “bestiaire” all used creatures to express character, luck, or protection. In modern British jewellery, animals often lean into wit and personality. Links of London’s animal charms — dogs, cats, owls, elephants, and more — are part of that playful heritage.
Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
The Bulldog in a Top Hat
The Links of London Bulldog Charm brings this tradition into sterling silver. Unlike more naturalistic portrayals, this bulldog carries a twist: a tall top hat, a touch of humour layered onto national pride. The combination makes it both mascot and caricature — a wink to British style and eccentricity.
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- Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
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- Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
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- Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
Design & Craftsmanship
- Dimensions (this example): 18mm long, 15mm high, 8mm wide
- Bail: Standard 9mm × 7mm Links of London oval bail with three-ring logo; fits bracelets or necklaces up to 5mm wide
- Hallmarks: LL sponsor’s mark, 925 sterling silver, 2010 date letter
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- Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
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- Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
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- Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
Professionally cleaned and polished, this all-silver variant is supplied with a split ring for Sweetie Bracelet attachment, ensuring it can be worn as originally intended.
Collectibility & Variants
Links of London charms often exist in multiple versions. While later stockists marketed a bulldog charm with a black ruthenium-plated hat around 2018, this example — hallmarked 2010 — is the earlier all-silver version. For collectors, that makes it both historically distinct and rarer to find in polished condition today.
Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
How to Wear It
- On a Sweetie Bracelet: The split ring makes it instantly compatible, giving any bracelet a spirited mascot.
- As a pendant: The bail fits most necklaces up to 5mm, making it wearable close to the heart.
- As a collector’s piece: For fans of canine charms or British iconography, the bulldog holds a special place in a curated collection.
Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
Why It Resonates
More than a dog, the bulldog in a top hat is a character — a distilled expression of Britain’s mix of resilience, humour, and eccentricity. Miniaturised into sterling silver, it becomes jewellery that doesn’t just accessorise but tells a story.
Vintage Links of London British Bulldog Top Hat Charm Sterling Silver 2010
The bulldog has marched through centuries of British culture. With this Links of London charm, it now marches straight onto your bracelet.
