Touchstone : Australian High Colonial Malachite Brooch in 20ct Gold Circa 1860

Sold A statement brooch featuring South Australian malachite from Burra and framed in 20ct yellow gold. Dating to the Australian High Colonial “gold rush” era circa 1860. Examples of malachite jewellery from this period are rare and highly collectable, this piece would be the star in any collection of Australian colonial jewellery, a true heirloom jewel. The Australian “High Colonial” period covers the formative years of Australian society from 1850 – 1900. Many immigrant jewellers were drawn to ‘The Lucky Country’ following the Australian gold rushes, bringing with them a wealth of skills and a curiosity for this “new” land. Jewellery fashion of the time was for heavy ornamentation, as pieces had to be large to stand out against the voluminous fabric of Victorian era clothing. This brooch was fashioned by an immigrant jeweller to South Australia using locally sourced malachite from the Burra copper mines. The gold may well have been unearthed in the nearby Barossa Valley, where German Lutheran immigrants were planting the vineyards that would one day become one of the worlds most celebrated wine making regions. Examples of early Australian malachite jewellery can be seen on page 57, 59, 130-131 of Australian Jewellery of the 19th and Early 20th Century by Schofield and Fahy. The South Australian Museum The National Gallery of Victoria and the Powerhouse Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences all have early Australian high colonial malachite jewellery examples in their collections. Manufacture:  There are no hallmarks to be found on the brooch, which is correct for Australian jewels of this period. The metal content has been confirmed by XRF test as 20ct gold with a steel pin. The brooch fastens with a hinged pin and c-clasp. As was standard for Victorian era brooches, the long pin extends past the border of the brooch. A highly detailed border of golden flowers, vine leaves and tendrils, all in 20ct gold, surrounds the bezel set malachite cabochon. The brooch measures 41.48mm x 33.5mm x 7.22mm deep, not including the pin and c-clasp. Weighs 12.16 grams. The oval shaped malachite cabochon measures 30mm x 21.8mm. Condition:  In excellent antique condition, this piece has been professionally cleaned and the malachite has been polished to a high lustre. There is an indentation on the malachite, however I believe this is a natural feature of the organic gemstone and not a flaw.