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This vintage luckenbooth is formed of two interlocking hearts, surmounted by a crown. Engraved below the crown are two birds’ heads facing each other with their beaks touching. The reverse has a hinged pin and scroll clasp, together with a suspension loop, and is stamped ‘INVSS’ with hallmarks for Edinburgh, sterling silver, 1953. Interestingly, this brooch was made by Medlock & Craik, but their mark has been overstruck by John Fraser who was Craik’s apprentice. The item therefore predates the 1953 hallmarks.
Medlock & Craik was an Inverness business started by Arthur Medlock who is recorded in 1871 as being a watchmaker and later jeweller. In 1913, Medlock transferred his business to James Craik ‘who will continue to conduct it as hitherto, under the Firm Name and designation of MEDLOCK & CRAIK GOLDMSITHS, JEWELLERS, WATCHMAKERS, ENGRAVERS, AND OPTICIANS’. A biography can be found in Highland Gold & Silversmiths by GP Moss and AD Roe (1999).
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 3.5cm
Width 3cm
Weight 6.5g