WW1 Lucky Fumsup Pendant
Lucky fumsup charm dating from the early 20th century, circa 1915. The fumsup first appeared at the end of the 19th century, but its popularity soared with the outbreak of the First World War, when they were given to thousands of British soldiers as a symbol of good luck. Fumsup came in various forms but the majority, like this one, had a body formed of brass or silver, sometimes with moveable limbs, and a wooden head, due to the luck associated with ‘touching wood’. The name is derived from ‘thumbs up’, another traditional good luck symbol. This wasn’t just a mascot that materialised in charms but on all sorts of items including china, postcards and even packs of playing cards. The tokens were often accompanied by this poem, reminding the reader of fumsup’s powers:
My head is made
Of wood most rare
My thumbs turn up
To touch me there.
To speed my feet
They’ve Cupid’s wings:
They’ll help true love
’Mongst other things.
Proverbial is
My power to bring
Good luck to you
In everything.
I’ll bring good luck
To all away –
Just send me to
A friend to-day.
Era: Edwardian, circa 1915
Size: 3.5cm (including bail) by 1.2cm
Marks: None, tested as silver
Condition:
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
Shipping
UPS Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs charges a 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" on all parcels coming in from the UK.
We will pay this charge on your behalf (via UPS or Royal Mail) and you will see it collected as a line item at checkout.
[Last updated: August 29th, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
Buying a Gift?
Leave a note at checkout and we'll include a handwritten note to the recipient. Just tell us what you'd like to say :)
More Questions?
Get in touch... There's a live chat at the bottom right of the page.
info@lostowl.com