Summary

Gold and enamel miners brooch made by George Bell of Footscray, Victoria about 1869. It is presented in its original case.

This brooch is unusual in that it carries a maker's make, which was not common in colonial jewellery. George Bell was an enameler from Hatton Garden London, who came to Victoria in search of gold but ended up carrying on his craft as a jeweller. He operated between 1868-9 in Charles Street, Footscray and from 1872-6 in Patrick Lane, Lonsdale Street East, Melbourne. It is believed that he later worked for other jewellers.

Physical Description

Large gold and enamel rectangular brooch with openwork design featuring a miner at a windlass, flanked by a pick and shovel on each side of the brooch. The decorative wreath-like framework features ferns and small gold nuggets. At the top of the brooch is an enameled blue curtain with gold fringing, draped over a golden rod and toped with a thistle (Scotland), rose (England), and a shamrock (Ireland).

Significance

This brooch is significance for its size, the quality of its workmanship and the fact it carries a makers mark. It is unusual in that it includes enamel work, which was rare in Victorian made jewellery at the time.

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