Although traditional jewellery was worn throughout Sweden, and has a distinct Swedish character, there are marked differences between the different provinces. Skåne province, in the extreme south of Sweden, has the richest tradition, and more jewellery was worn there than in any other district. Almost all the Swedish traditional jewellery at the V&A comes from Skåne.

Circular and heart-shaped ring brooches are medieval in origin and found throughout northern Europe. They differ from modern brooches in the way they fasten. The wearer pulls the cloth of the garment through the central hole, and then spears it with the pin. The greater the strain on the pin, the more secure the fastening.

This ring brooch is a plain circle decorated with filigree coil rings, each topped with a small lozenge alternating with a granule. This kind of decoration is typical of Skåne work in the first half of the 19th century, as is the little ring holding the pin. The brooch was made to hold a woman’s shirt closed at the collar. It is marked with the maker’s mark EH. Erik Holmberg was a silversmith who specialised in traditional jewellery, who worked in Lund from 1774-1819. After his death, his widow continued his business, using his maker’s mark, for another twenty years. From the style of the brooch, it is more likely to date from her time than from his.