This wonderful little keepsake is a hallmarked antique Victorian silver brooch dating to 1872.
It features a rigid curb chain with a lucky horseshoe at its heart from which dangles a padlock. The maker was Adie and Lovekin of Birmingham, England.
The Victorians were known for their symbolic jewellery, whether for mourning or romance. Gifts with coded undercurrents could be given to potential lovers in an age of strict societal behaviours. That said, sweetheart brooches, to me, seem quite an overt display of affection. Padlocks are a common theme and often represent the binding of friendships or romances and themes of fidelity. We still think of horseshoes as symbols of luck and good fortune and the chain seems to bind this all together in one neat gift.
Measures: 5.4 cms x 1.7 cms
Hallmarks: Lion for Britain, Anchor for Birmingham and the S relates to the year 1872. Also very faintly has the A for Adie and Lovekin - both initials could be seen before the jeweller re polished and added extra silver to stabilise the padlock.
Condition: Excellent, refurbished by a professional jeweller and has had a small piece of silver added to stabilise the padlock so it cannot fall off.
All vintage items have been pre-used, unless stated otherwise, and may have gentle signs of wear.
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This wonderful little keepsake is a hallmarked antique Victorian silver brooch dating to 1872.
It features a rigid curb chain with a lucky horseshoe at its heart from which dangles a padlock. The maker was Adie and Lovekin of Birmingham, England.
The Victorians were known for their symbolic jewellery, whether for mourning or romance. Gifts with coded undercurrents could be given to potential lovers in an age of strict societal behaviours. That said, sweetheart brooches, to me, seem quite an overt display of affection. Padlocks are a common theme and often represent the binding of friendships or romances and themes of fidelity. We still think of horseshoes as symbols of luck and good fortune and the chain seems to bind this all together in one neat gift.
Measures: 5.4 cms x 1.7 cms
Hallmarks: Lion for Britain, Anchor for Birmingham and the S relates to the year 1872. Also very faintly has the A for Adie and Lovekin - both initials could be seen before the jeweller re polished and added extra silver to stabilise the padlock.
Condition: Excellent, refurbished by a professional jeweller and has had a small piece of silver added to stabilise the padlock so it cannot fall off.
All vintage items have been pre-used, unless stated otherwise, and may have gentle signs of wear.
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Delivery
UK Delivery: Free standard delivery to UK mainland addresses.
Worldwide Delivery: Royal Mail Airmail. To calculate shipping costs, before you commit to buy, go to your shopping cart where you will find our shipping calculator.
If you need more information about shipping times, and/or prices, use the contact us form or email hello@hurdyburdy.com
Based in Germany or Italy? Contact us prior to purchase as shipping is taking longer due to new packaging laws and customs delays.
Customs charges and duties payable on arrival in the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.
Returns
We offer no quibble returns for all items returned in ‘as sent’ condition. Please contact the shop to cancel your item within 14 days of delivery.
For shipping updates, see our full Shipping & Returns policies at the bottom of this web page in the Delivery & Returns section.
Delivery
UK Delivery: Free standard delivery to UK mainland addresses.
Worldwide Delivery: Royal Mail Airmail. To calculate shipping costs, before you commit to buy, go to your shopping cart where you will find our shipping calculator.
If you need more information about shipping times, and/or prices, use the contact us form or email hello@hurdyburdy.com
Based in Germany or Italy? Contact us prior to purchase as shipping is taking longer due to new packaging laws and customs delays.
Customs charges and duties payable on arrival in the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.
Returns
We offer no quibble returns for all items returned in ‘as sent’ condition. Please contact the shop to cancel your item within 14 days of delivery.
For shipping updates, see our full Shipping & Returns policies at the bottom of this web page in the Delivery & Returns section.