*British, WW1, Royal Navy HMS Centaur Sterling Silver Anchor Sweetheart Brooch, by Spink Brothers, Dated 1916*
A fine and scarce Royal Navy sweetheart brooch in the form of an anchor entwined with a ribbon bearing the inscription “HMS Centaur.” Crafted in sterling silver and hallmarked on the reverse for Birmingham, 1916, with maker’s mark S Bros (Spink Brothers). The brooch measures 4.1 cm by 2.5 cm and retains its original hinged pin and clasp.
Sweetheart brooches were privately purchased and given as tokens of love and remembrance by serving sailors to their wives, fiancées, or families during wartime. This example is directly linked to HMS Centaur, a C-class light cruiser launched in 1916.
Historical Note: HMS Centaur (1916–1934) was a C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. Built by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness, she was launched in January 1916, joining the Grand Fleet at the height of the First World War. These cruisers were designed for fleet reconnaissance and protection duties, operating with destroyer flotillas and screening the battle fleet.
Although commissioned too late for the Battle of Jutland, HMS Centaur served with the Royal Navy throughout the remainder of the war, and into the interwar period, before being decommissioned and scrapped in 1934. Sweetheart brooches such as this were purchased by sailors to gift to their loved ones as visible symbols of connection and service during the war.
*Condition*
The brooch shows age patina and light surface wear consistent with age. The silver retains its original form with crisp hallmarking: S Bros (Spink Brothers), Birmingham anchor, lion passant, and date letter r for 1916. The inscription remains legible. Pin and clasp are intact, though with oxidation and signs of use. Overall, an excellent example with attractive period character. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
