Vintage Luckenbooth by William H. Darby, Birmingham
£125.00
Scottish luckenbooth (heart brooch), silver, hallmarked Birmingham, 1960
Scottish luckenbooth (heart brooch), silver, hallmarked Birmingham, 1960
Scottish luckenbooth (heart brooch), silver, hallmarked Birmingham, 1960
This vintage luckenbooth is formed of two interlocking hearts with foliate decoration, surmounted by a crown. The reverse is set with a hinged pin and safety clasp and shows Birmingham hallmarks for 1960, 925 sterling silver, and the maker William H. Darby.
Scottish heart brooches are often referred to as luckenbooths, with the name coming from the locked booths that housed the goldsmithing quarter in Edinburgh next to St Giles Kirk. The hearts are often capped with crowns, such as this example, and many were known to have acted as betrothal and wedding gifts particularly during the eighteenth century. They were also occasionally called witches brooches as they were believed to offer protection against witchcraft.
Dimensions:
Height 5.3cm
Width 4.3cm
Weight 8.9g