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This vintage luckenbooth is comprised of a single heart together with a stylised internal ‘M’, capped with a crown, and is finely engraved. The reverse has a hinged pin and c-scroll safety clasp and is marked ‘DB’ for Hamish Dawson-Bowman, ‘CAI’ for Celtic Art Industries, ‘SCOTLAND’ and ‘STERLING’. The ‘M’ may refer to Mary, Queen of Scots as these brooches were occasionally called ‘Queen Mary brooches’.
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. Over the years, he is recorded as having premises in Glasgow, East Kilbride and Strathaven.
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 5.8m
Width 4.6cm
Weight 11.2g