The first example of Sweetheart Regimental brooches dates back to the 1880’s, although the production of these brooches only really took hold at the start of the second Boer war in 1899 and continued to grow in popularity as the British army increased in size during WWI and WWII.
While the die-cast or press moulded manufacturing of gold and enamel, and silver and enamel brooches was largely undertaken by a handful of Birmingham jewellers, a smaller market existed for privately commissioned gem set brooches. The production of these bespoke pieces were generally undertaken by a select few of London’s top Bond Street and Regents Street jewellers.
As the British and Commonwealth armies shrank in size, so to did the demand for Regimental brooches.
The art of vitreous enamelling (molten glass) has now been largely lost to the industry, as a result of legislation prohibiting the use of old enamels due to the noxious gasses released at the early stage of the melting process. Consequently, the few modern examples available are usually either not enamelled, or alternatively soft cold painted enamelled, as can also often be the case of old repaired brooches.
In the event that you are looking for a particular brooch pertaining to a regiment that is not included on the website, please contact me and I will do what I can to help.
