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This vintage luckenbooth bracelet is formed of nine crowned hearts, each one with an interlocking central heart. Midway on the bracelet there is an additional suspended heart. The trigger clasp has an additional safety chain. The reverse of the pendant heart is marked ‘DB’ for Hamish Dawson-Bowman, ‘CAI’ for Celtic Art Industries, ‘SCOTLAND’ and ‘STERLING’ and each other heart bears one of these marks.
Hamish Dawson-Bowman founded the silversmithing firm Celtic Art Industries in 1945. He was inspired by the sculptured monuments found on the island of Iona as well as the Celtic Revival work of Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie. His aim was to continue the Celtic craft industry, as well as provide training for disabled and unemployed ex-servicemen.
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:
Diameter approx. 19cm
Hearts 2.3 x 1.5cm
Weight 21.8g