Product Information
Product code: ES9308 Categories: Sold Items, Sold Jewellery.Here is a fantastic antique brooch that was not only made by one of Australia’s most famous and prolific jewellers, but truly is as Australian as it can get.
Made in 9 carat gold, the brooch measures 52mm across by 26mm and depicts both a kangaroo and emu facing the Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms on top of a boomerang with the word “Australia” across the front.
King Edward VII first officially granted of a coat of arms to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1908. The first Coat of Arms was a shield of white and blue with a cross of St George, with five six-pointed white stars along the cross and six small shields around the edge of the shield.
The shield was supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound and above the shield was the crest containing the seven-pointed gold star of Federation on a wreath of white and blue. The motto ‘Advance Australia’ was inscribed at the base of the grassy mound, all of which can be seen on this brooch.
Not only is this brooch over 110 years old, but it is also in exceptional condition and as beautiful today as when it was made over a century ago.
Making it even more exciting is that this particular brooch is seen on page 274 of the book, Australian Jewellers: Gold & Silversmiths, Makers & Marks, by Kenneth Cavill, Graham Cocks, and Jack Grace.
Such a wonderful conversation starter, there is no doubt that this brooch will always be commented on and admired from near or far.
Stock# ES9308
Maker: Willis
Circa: 1910
$Sold
Description
Antique brooch of a boomerang, kangaroo, emu and coat of arms by Willis
This beautiful antique brooch was made in 9 carat gold by the early Australian jewellery company, Willis and Sons in the early 1900’s, and depicts a kangaroo, emu and coat of arms on top of a boomerang.
A brief history about Willis and Sons:
Willis and Sons were first established in 1858 by Richard and Thomas Willis, who were jewellery importers and wholesalers. They imported clocks, silver and electro-plated pieces as well making a name for themselves as a leading manufacturer of jewellery. There jewellery often reflected the native Australian flora and fauna with brooches often being in the form of a boomerang often with an Australian animal for example. By the turn of the century the firm had become Australia’s leading gold jewellery manufacturer and after 1931 continued just as importers after closing the manufacturing side of the business down.
This exact brooch is seen on page 274 of the book, Australian Jewellers: Gold & Silversmiths, Makers & Marks, by Kenneth Cavill, Graham Cocks, and Jack Grace.
King Edward VII first officially granted of a coat of arms to the Commonwealth of Australia, in a Royal Warrant on 7 May 1908.
The first Coat of Arms was a simple shield of white and blue. On the shield was the cross of St George, with five six-pointed white stars along the cross and six small escutcheons (small shields) around the edge of the shield.
The shield was supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound and above the shield was the crest containing the seven-pointed gold star of Federation on a wreath of white and blue.  The motto ‘Advance Australia’ was inscribed at the base of the grassy mound.
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