Art Nouveau jewellery

Crafted by French master horn-carver Georges Pierre (1873–1943), Cicada pendant necklace c.1910 (illustrated), and three other delicate examples of Art Nouveau jewellery already in the Collection, greatly enhances the Gallery’s holdings from this significant period. Georges Pierre ‘Cicada pendant necklace’ c.1910 The shapes and rhythms of nature inspired the style now recognised as Art Nouveau.…

Gold and pearl bracelet: A glimpse of Queensland’s history

This charming gold and pearl bracelet on display at the Queensland Art Gallery, is a lovely example of work by the Brisbane firm Flavelle, Roberts & Sankey, and represents the local jeweller’s skill as well as providing a glimpse of Queensland’s history. The gold bracelet is the most significant piece of Queensland jewellery to come…

Goldfield brooches: Uniquely Australian

A selection of an intriguing group of brooches are on display in the Australian Art Collection, Queensland Art Gallery — made by unknown jewellers, they were produced in the Australian goldfields, circa 1880–1915 and are a peculiarly Australian innovation. These elegant pieces in uniquely Australian designs which are made from gold, small nuggets of native gold,…

Family jewels tell two Queensland stories

The Gallery recently acquired a fine piece of late-nineteenth-century, Queensland-made jewellery — the D Mackay and Co. Gold and topaz bangle c.1900 (illustrated). Its making and provenance builds on an earlier Queensland piece already in the Collection — the Hogarth, Erichsen & Co. Archer mourning brooch c.1860 (illustrated). Together, these beautiful objects tell the historic…

The jewellery in The Fortune-Teller c.1630s

European jewellery of the Renaissance was colourful, opulent and intricate. It was also widely popular, as the portraiture of this time shows the often extraordinary amount a wealthy man or woman might wear. Many great artists of the Renaissance started their careers in goldsmiths workshops — resulting in a familiarity of styles and techniques in…

The jewellery of Selvaggia Sassetti (born 1470)

The coral of Selvaggia Sassetti’s necklace would not have travelled far from its once plentiful source in the Mediterranean sea. Precious red coral grows in a characteristic branching plant like form from the rocky sea bed, preferring the darkness of deeper water or underwater caves — for hundreds of years its main trade centre has…