Vintage Iona John Hart Sterling Silver Scottish Luckenbooth Tradtional Brooch

Description

Vintage late 1960s Scottish Iona John Hart sterling silver traditional luckenbooth brooch. The engraved brooch features a crown atop a pair of intertwined hearts which symbolizes love and good luck. The luckenbooth symbol originated in the 16th century in Edinburgh and got it's name from the lockable stalls known as "Luckenbooth" which sold jewelry and other goods along the Royal Mile near the St. Giles Cathedral.
The brooch has a T-hinge and safety catch. The back is marked "Iona" and with the initials JH, the mark of John Hart. John Hart was a Scottish silversmith who worked in Iona from the 1950s to 1970s. It also has a series of 3 silver marks which are quite small but appear to be a thistle for sterling silver, a castle for the Edinburgh assay office and the letter O for the year 1969. It is in excellent condition.
Measurements:
1 3/4" long by 1 3/8" wide
4.3 cm long by 3.9 cm wide