Scottish Luckenbooth brooch in Sterling silver by Suzan Postgate

This luckenbooth is very traditional in design although it is one of Suzan’s original creations. The brooch is 1.25 X 2″and is made with a double pin back so that it can be used on heavy wool fabric or just about any heavy gauge yarn, sweater scarf etc. The brooch is completely hand made by Suzan.

Custom orders:

You may order a Scottish Luckenbooth brooch as a pendant or as a brooch. You can also have Suzan add some details in 14, 18, 22K and in rose or yellow gold. The brooch is also a great design for small stones. We have a page that explains more about custom orders. It also has a selection of some of our favorite custom pieces: https://postgatejewelers.com/special-order-jewelry/

FaceBook:

We have a wide selection of our work on FaceBook. Some pieces are shown in various stages of completion. When we do a special piece for a customer we often send them image of waxes. This makes it easier for them to understand what we are doing. It also allows us to work together and insure the creation of something special: https://www.facebook.com/Postgate-Fine-Jewelers-111540785537658/photos/?view_public_for=111540785537658&ref=page_internal

Luckenbooth history:

The luckenbooth dates from the late sixteenth century. It originated as a pin that merchants wore in Edinburgh along the “Royal Mile” who sold their goods out of locked booths. The pins had to be worn to show that the merchant had purchased a license to sell their goods.

The first luckenbooth brooches were very small. A tradition developed in which the luckenbooth was given to a man’s sweetheart on their betrothal. It was also considered a lucky charm, that would protect its wearer against the evil eye. Among the other powers attributed to the luckenbooth was easing the pain of childbirth and If pinned to a baby’s shawl, it will protect the child from being stolen by fairies.

During the 18th and 19th centuries the luckenbooth became larger and more elaborate often inscribed on the back with biblical quotes or the names or initials of the couple and the date of their wedding.

In the late 1800’s the intertwined hearts that form the lower half of the brooch came to resemble the letter M. Fleur de lys and thistles also became common elements. These became known as Mary’s Brooches or “Queen Mary’s Brooches”. This was because Mary Queen of Scots’s husband, Lord Darnley gave her one.

Most contemporary luckenbooth brooches are in the form of two intertwined hearts topped with a crown. In Victorian times they were often set with garnets. Garnets were believed to have a positive influence on love and symbolized love, constancy, and friendship. The Victorian versions of the luckenbooth brooch were decorated with gems of different colors

Scottish fur traders exchanged simple silver luckenbooths for furs with Native Americans who loved them well before the founding of the US. Some of those brooches have been passed down for generations, and are treasured keepsakes in those native American families.