Scottish rose luckenbooth pendant in silver by Suzan Postgate

Suzan designed and made the pendant in sterling silver. It is very lightly oxidized to bring out its detail. The design has a nice depth with rounded edges rather than just being flat. She has given the piece a soft and very old looking finish. The pendant reminds me of old Scottish ones but it is much more pleasing than all most any that I can remember.

The pendant is about 2” tall including its bale and 1 3/8” wide. A 20” sterling silver chain is included with the pendant.

A custom order for this luckenbooth will ship in less than 6 weeks. You may also order it in gold. We will give you the price for gold when you want to order since the price of gold varies.

Luckenbooth history:

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

Early Luckenbooths:

The first luckenbooth brooches were very small. Later 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. 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. They were often inscribed on the back with biblical quotes, names or initials, of the couple and the date of their wedding.

Queen Mary Luckenbooths:

In the late 1800’s the intertwined hearts that form the lower half of the brooch came to resemble the letter M. Fleur de lis 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 husband, Lord Darnley had given her a special one.

Modern Luckenbooths:

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.

The Luckenbooth in America:

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.
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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