Vintage Luckenbooth by Robert Allison, Glasgow

This heart brooch has an elaborate crown and is set with a central oval cut citrine. The reverse has a hinged steel pin and c-scroll safety clasp, and is marked ‘RA’ for Robert Allison together with Edinburgh hallmarks for sterling silver and the year 1965.

The goldsmith Robert Allison first registered his maker’s mark at the Glasgow Assay Office in 1942 and had premises in Princes Square, Glasgow. He later registered his mark with the Edinburgh Assay Office. Allison is recorded making a wide range of items inspired by Scottish historical and Highland designs.

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 5.4cm

Width 3.6cm

Weight 11.7g