Scottish Jewellery

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Glasgow Museums has an extensive collection of Scottish jewellery. It comprises approximately 600 items, which date from as early as 2,500 BC to 2000.

This collection contains historic Scottish jewellery, such as annular, penannnular, luckenbooth and ring brooches, and brooch moulds and historicist jewellery based on Scottish themes. It also includes Scottish inspired Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts items, and badges and insignia associated with Scottish transport and military regiments. Significant items include a star-shaped brooch of granite and silver by Rettie of Aberdeen, an impressive ring brooch of 18-carat gold and enamel by W Alexander & Sons of Glasgow, and a corsage brooch by James Cromar Watt of Aberdeen. There is also a small group of early 20th-century 'Iona' jewellery, designed and made by Alex and Euphemia Ritchie, with themes and motifs derived from the archaeology and monuments of the island of Iona.

In addition, the collection includes a small but important group of civic jewellery, mainly formal chains of office for the Provosts of the Glasgow burghs.