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Recollections of War > Records

WWI Ypres souvenir sweetheart brooch with holly leaf design

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c. 1915

Overview

World War One era souvenir sweetheart brooch manufactured in Ypres, Belgium, in the form of a holly leaf.
The leaf is made from silver-plated metal and has lines depicting the leaf venation and a decorative, scalloped edge.
The central scroll is made from 9 carat gold plated metal and has the word 'Ypres' engraved into it.
There is a pin clasp on the reverse and no visible maker's mark.

Historical information

This brooch is typical of sweetheart jewellery sent home by Australian servicemen on the Western Front during the First World War.
It is possible that this brooch was produced to send home for Christmas, as it features a traditional Christmas motif. A European mistletoe brooch also made in Ypres during World War One is held in the collection.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00847

Item type

Collectibles

Decorative Objects

Ephemera

Jewellery

Souvenirs

Themes

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Gold

Metal

Metal (silver-plated)

Width

43 mm

Height or length

25 mm

Depth

4 mm

Inscriptions and markings

On title scroll:

"YPRES"

Keywords

World War One

Ypres Belgium

Sweetheart Brooch

Souvenirs

First World War souvenir

Jewellery

History - Social

Place made

Belgium

Year

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Last modified

Thursday, 23 April, 2026

Completeness

100

Related Objects

Related Objects

Sibling records

WWI Ypres souvenir sweetheart brooch with mistletoe

WWI souvenir sweetheart brooch - Ypres

Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Other items from Recollections of War

WWI Ypres souvenir sweetheart brooch with leaf design

WWI Ypres souvenir sweetheart brooch with leaf design

Reverse of WWI Ypres souvenir sweetheart brooch with leaf design

Reverse of WWI Ypres souvenir sweetheart brooch with leaf design

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