Celtic Brooches

Celts frequently wore brooches to fasten their garments. Celtic women wore brooches to fasten scarves or plaids while men wore them to fasten kilts. Both the annular and penannular styles are traditional Celtic brooches that are gaining popularity today.

The annular brooch features a closed-ring, making it more secure. It works by pinning to a fold of cloth gathered at the center. The open ring, penannular brooch allows the pin fastened to the material to pass through the ring to secure it. Both the annular and penannular brooch display animal and geometric motifs that are designed in gemstone, enamel, granulation, filigree and wirework, with varied innovative material.

The Luckenbooth brooch, similar in design to the Claddagh ring with its heart motif, is generally presented as a love token. Today, several Celtic brooches come with modern safety catches and fixed pins, as some people find the traditional Celtic brooch quite cumbersome to fasten.