Here is a fabulous piece of not only jewellery, but Australian history - a very rare gold and natural pearl antique brooch attributed to Alfred Lorking.
Alfred Lorking was a Sydney jeweller who operated between 1853 to 1859 making his pieces not only one some of the oldest pieces of Australian jewellery, but also exceedingly hard to find. Combine this with the fact that this brooch is so beautiful to admire and still in wonderful condition, and you end up with a piece of early Australian jewellery that is of museum quality.
Made in 15 carat gold, it measures 43.7mm across by 40mm and has a wonderful grape vine motif with the "grapes" being a multitude of natural pearls. All of this comes together resulting in such a fabulous brooch that is exciting to admire from near or far and will no doubt always be a wonderful talking point and conversation starter.
A true piece of Australia's history that can be worn with such pride.
Stock# ES8664
Maker: Alfred Lorking (Attributed)
Circa: 1855
$Sold.
Out of stock
Rare gold and natural pearl antique brooch attributed to 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.
Click here to see more antique Australian jewellery that is currently for sale:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-australian-jewellery/
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