Antique Gold Brooch with Opal & Diamonds by August Brunkhorst, Adelaide c. 1900

Did you know that jewellery featuring Australian precious opals has not been around for very long? The first European to discover opals in Australia was the German geologist Johannes Menge. He found opals north of Adelaide in 1841, but little attention was paid to these finds as they were not precious opals of jewellery quality. The first documented precious opal finds date back to 1872, with commercial mining only beginning in Queensland in the 1890s. Further opal fields were discovered in Lightning Ridge in 1905, in Coober Pedy in 1915, and in Andamooka in 1930. Australian opals were exported around the world and made into jewellery. However, this antique brooch was crafted in Australia itself. It showcases a particularly high-quality stone, which has been cut into a shimmering cabochon. The stone reflects wonderful light in all colours of the rainbow above its milky-white base colour. Transverse knife-edged bars of high-carat gold and small diamond roses accompany the stone, creating a typical collar brooch that almost every lady would have owned around 1900. According to the hallmark, the brooch is the work of August Ludwig Brunkhorst. Born in Hamburg in 1849, he emigrated to Australia in 1870, where he opened a jewellery store in Rundle Street, Adelaide. A respected member of the community, Brunkhorst was even elected to the city council, where he lived until his death in 1919. Brunkhorst was renowned for the craftsmanship of his work, as evidenced by this brooch. The fine workmanship magnificently brings out the opal’s special character. The brooch, which arrived with us from France, has been wonderfully preserved in its original case. Where will its journey take it next?

Estimation:€3,980

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