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During the sixteenth to
eighteenth centuries there were two main styles of brooches in Scotland; one was
the ring brooch, often with incised decoration, and used to fasten plaids by
both men and women. This design was called a Pennanular. The other brooch
was a heart shaped one, often given at weddings and engagements as a token of
love.
From
the eighteenth century onwards, small plain heart shaped brooches were worn to
protect against evil spirits, the evil eye or the attention of thesithean
(fairy spirits). These are the
famous “Luckenbooth Brooches”.
The
name for the Luckenbooth came from there being sold in locked booths.
These were small shops, which were in fact very tiny and could be securely
locked at night and were a feature of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. These
brooches were heart shaped surmounted by a crown and usually made of silver.
The first
Luckenbooth brooches date from the late seventh century. This traditional gift
was given by a man to his sweetheart on their betrothal. It was considered a
lucky charm, protecting the wearer against the evil eye. Among other powers the
Luckenbooth was supposed to have, was in easing the pain at childbirth and
ensuring a good flow of breast milk when it was pinned to a woman’s petticoats
near her left thigh. If pinned to the baby’s shawl, it would protect the child
from being stolen by fairies.
During
the XVIII and XIX centuries the Luckenbooth became larger and more elaborate
with inscriptions on the back such as biblical references or the initials of the
couple and the date of their betrothal.
From 1850 onwards, the
intertwined hearts were made to resemble the letter M. These came to be called
Mary’s Brooches or even Queen Mary’s Brooches for Mary Queen of Scots’ whose
husband, Lord Darnley, had given her one.
Most Luckenbooth brooches
today are in the form of two hearts topped by a crown and are made of silver,
although some versions of this traditional Scottish brooch can be found in iron
and brass. Victorian ones were generally set with garnets. Garnets were thought
to have a lucky influence on affairs of the heart and symbolized a lover’s
constancy as well as being an emblem of deep friendship. The Victorian versions
of the Luckenbooth brooch were decorated with gems of different colours.
M
any antique Luckenbooths are
treasured family heirlooms. Now is the ideal time to start your family
tradition.! | 
