Summary

English Georgian-era diamond brooch, likely brought to Victoria by an early English migrant family. Crafted in England by an unknown maker in around 1790, this brooch is 15ct rose gold and silver set. It has a central old rose cut diamond of 30 points surrounded by 44 smaller old rose cut diamonds, all in silver cut away settings on a rose gold base in a leaf motif design. The brooch was acquired by Museums Victoria in its original case.

Although its precise history is unknown, this brooch is an example of how jewellery often carries strong family connections and in this case was brought to Victoria as a valued family heirloom and a piece of jewellery to demonstrate the owner's wealth and status. As part of the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection, it represents the previous style of jewellery which was left behind once the Gold Rush hit in the early 1850, giving people access to Australian designed and made jewellery made from Australian gold.

Physical Description

15ct rose gold and silver set brooch. It has a central old rose cut diamond of 30 points surrounded by 44 smaller old rose cut diamonds, all in silver cut away settings on a rose gold base in a leaf motif design. Several scratchings on back, almost indecipherable, may be the marks of repairers or cleaners. The brooch comes in its original fitted case.

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