Penny Black is a designer who takes inspirations from the countries he has visited. He is interested in culture and history and oftentimes, he features images of the culture and history of the countries he has been to in his work. For example, the Penny Black 40 is a collection of assorted pairs of cufflinks – gold cufflinks, silver cufflinks, even cufflinks made of nickel – that feature many symbols and images that are reminiscent of a particular country. In particular, there are some cufflinks that pertain to Russia, or Mother Russia as she is fondly called. The Hand Painted Russian Three Copecks Coin Cufflink features the sickle and the hammer, which is a symbol most associated with communism. Because Russia is one of the countries that championed communism, this symbol is very much associated to the country. The idea of communism is based on equality for all men, and for common wealth for every man. A farmer, represented in this case by the sickle, and an industrial worker, represented by the hammer, will have equal privileges in life, as espoused by the idea of communism. Unity among men is also passionately advocated by Russia and communism, and this is also the idea being reflected in the sickle and hammer symbol. The crossing of the two items in this image symbolizes the union of the different classes of men, and both will have the same comforts and privileges in life. The Soviet Union is no longer existent but many Russians will still remember the days of old.
