BARBARA M. BERK

Annular (ring) brooches developed into heart-shaped brooches in the early 14th century.  By the 15th century, the form was applied to pendants.  The English court was particularly fond of heart-shaped jewels:  Henry VIII (1491 – 1547) gave his daughter Mary a heart pendant – and had 39 heart pendants of his own.*

My "Open Heart" captures this universal symbol in a contemporary, stylized design.  

*Joan Evans, A History of Jewelery 1100 – 1870.  London:  Faber and Faber, 1953. Page 105.