Image 1 of 2
Image 2 of 2
A miniature luckenbooth copying the style of a late 18th century Inverness heart brooch. The single heart is capped with a ‘bird head’ crown, set with a chevron to the lower part of the heart and displays the traditional integral swing pin which is depicted through pierced and engraved decoration. The reverse has a hinged pin and c-scroll safety clasp and is stamped ‘CAC’ for Colin Campbell with Edinburgh hallmarks for sterling silver, 2000.
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:
Length 2.7cm
Width 1.9cm
Weight 5.4g