Summary
15 carat gold miner's brooch with crossed pick and shovel, an impressive gold nugget specimen and the word 'COOLGARDIE' above the pick and shovel. It was made by Larard Brothers of Melbourne, circa 1890-1900. It is a typical example of goldfields jewellery purchased or commissioned by miners or others on the goldfields as evidence of their wealth and success.
Coolgardie was founded in 1892 when gold was discovered at Fly Flat. By 1898 it was the third largest town in Western Australia with an estimated population of 5,008. At its peak 700 mining companies based in Coolgardie were registered with the London Stock Exchange, however by WWI the gold rush was well and truly over and the town was in a state of significant decline.
Physical Description
15ct gold brooch comprised of a crossed pick and shovel and set with a small, central gold nugget, with the letters 'COOLGARDIE' above and a short chain dropping from the centre.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Clothing & Textiles, Politics & Society, Engineering, Working Life & Trades
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Maker
Larard Bros, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1890-1900
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Place & Date Named
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall dimensions
60 mm (Width), 5 mm (Depth), 25 mm (Height), 8 g (Weight)
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Keywords
Gold, Gold & Silversmithing, Gold Mining, Gold Rushes, Jewellery, Jewellers, Broaches, Miners
