An early 20th century, luckenbooth double witch's heart brooch, with one heart set with Burma rubies and the other set with old-cut diamonds, in grain settings, surmounted with a coronet, set with three, natural seed pearls, above a row of old-cut diamonds, in grain settings, with a knife edge circular surround, set with alternating rubies and old-cut diamonds, in claw settings, mounted in 14ct gold, with the grain set diamonds in silver-upon-gold. American, circa 1910.
Luckenbooth brooches are traditional Scottish love tokens. They are usually a heart shaped brooch, often with a crown or coronet above one heart, or two intertwined hearts, with similar motifs to the Claddagh ring. European Heart-shaped brooches date back to late medieval period but this design probably did not appear in Scotland before the 17th century. It became very popular in the 19th century, featuring in the ranges of Scottish manufacturing jewellers, for the Highland outfitter and tourist trades. They are typically made of silver, although gold heart brooches were made for wealthy people and may be engraved or set with stones.
The name comes from the Luckenbooths of Edinburgh. Luckenbooth is a Scots word for a lockable stall or workshop. Originating in the 15th century, they were the city's first permanent shops, situated on the Royal Mile near St. Giles Cathedral. Initially housing mainly silversmiths and goldsmiths. They were demolished in 1817.
The brooches were often given as a betrothal or wedding gift. It might have been worn as a charm, by a nursing mother to help her milk flow or be pinned to a baby’s clothing. It was also known as a witch-brooch to protect children from evil.
By the mid-18th century, Luckenbooth tokens featured heavily as trade silver items to Native Americans and became a common decorative symbol, in 18th and early 19th century, on their clothing. The motif was therefore adopted by jewellers in the USA.
With thanks to Wikipedia for the history of Luckenbooth brooches.
