Vintage Luckenbooth by Thomas Ebbutt, Edinburgh

This vintage luckenbooth is formed of two interlocking hearts, surmounted by a crown set with three pearls. The reverse has a hinged pin and safety clasp and shows hallmarks for Edinburgh, 9ct gold [375], 1993 and the maker Thomas Ebbutt.

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 3.6cm

Width 3cm

Weight 7g