This incredible antique brooch set with natural pearls is attributed to early Australian jeweller Alfred Lorking, and is an incredible piece to wear let alone hold in your hands.
Alfred Lorking was a Sydney jeweller who operated between 1853 to 1859 making his pieces some of the oldest pieces of early Australian jewellery, and also incredibly hard to find.
Made in a style that is so typical of his work, it was made in 15 carat gold and measures an impressive 59mm across by 49.9mm. Designed with the natural pearls representing grapes, the border along the brooch has been made to simulate wood as well, highlighting how much talent and skill Alfred Lorking had.
From every angle and up close or far away, this is such an amazing brooch that is also an amazing piece of early and rare Australian jewellery from the Victorian era.
Stock# ES8663
Maker: Alfred Lorking (Attributed)
Circa: 1855
$Sold.
Out of stock
Antique natural pearl brooch made by Alfred Lorking
Alfred Lorking (1825-1883) was a jeweller who was making jewellery in his premises at 165 George Street Sydney for a relatively short period from 1853 to 1859. His work is quite distinct and large incorporating both Australian flora as well as natural pearls. These pearls would have originated from either Shark Bay in Western Australia or Moreton Bay in Queensland. After research, we believe that the pearls in this brooch would be from Moreton Bay as the Shark Bay pearls (Pinctada Alibina) were harvested from the 1850’s and peaked in the 1870’s and Moreton Bay pearls (Pinctada Saccostrea) although used in jewellery a few years before, became a major source of natural pearls in the 1850’s when Alfred Lorking was making jewellery.
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