Large reversible 15 carat gold and silver gilt dress brooch,…
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Large reversible 15 carat gold and silver gilt dress brooch, attributed to Brunkhorst c1885, the obverse with a relief diorama of a kangaroo and emu on a rocky ledge, on the reverse a carved cameo of Eros and Psyche, all contained in an openwork frame with applied animal figures interspersed by fruit bearing grapevines, with original box bearing Steiner label. Marks: unmarked but tested. Combined weight: 49 grams. Height 7 cm. Provenance: Vizard Foundation.2001 Geelong Exhibition no 40. Sotheby's, Sydney, 2000, lot 548. Notes: notes: Brunkhorst acquired Henry Steiner's jewellery business in 1884. For similar examples see Schofield and Fahy 'Australian Jewellery' pp144; Australian gold and silver 1851-1900, power house Publishing, Sydney, pp30.

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  • Diorama - When used in relation to antiques and collectables, a diorama is a three dimensional display, usually within a domed or rectangular glass case.

    As the feathers of birds are more easily damaged than the skin of an animal, most taxidermied birds are displayed within a glazed diorama. The birds will be set in lifelike poses in a naturalistic landscape, usually standing a branch within the diorama. Animals will be displayed set in the landscape they inhabit. The foreground will be set with gravel, rocks and bushes, while the background will be painted.

    While most natural history dioramas can be easily picked up and carried by one person, some larger examples were made that were suitable for display at exhibitions.

    The other type of diorama commonly seen is a model ship enclosed in a rectangular glass box, the ship depicted floating on the sea.
  • Openwork in Jewellery - Openwork, also known as pierced work, is a decorative technique used in jewellery making that involves removing or cutting out sections of metal from a piece of jewellery to create a pattern or design. This technique can be used in a wide range of jewellery styles, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

    Openwork jewellery can be made using a variety of different techniques, including hand carving, sawing, and laser cutting. The design can be simple or complex, and can feature a range of different shapes and motifs, from delicate floral patterns to bold geometric designs.

    One of the advantages of openwork jewellery is that it can add visual interest and depth to a piece without adding a lot of weight or bulk. This can be particularly appealing in larger pieces, such as necklaces and bracelets, where heavy materials can be uncomfortable to wear.
  • Carat - A carat (abbreviated "ct") is a unit of measurement used to describe the weight of a diamond or other gemstone, and separately is a unit of measurement used to describe the weight of precious metals such as gold,.

    For gemstones, one carat is equal to 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams. The weight of a diamond is one of the Four Cs (along with cut, colour, and clarity) that are used to determine a diamond's value.

    It is important to note that a diamond's weight does not necessarily correspond to its size. A diamond's cut, which affects how well it reflects light, can make a diamond of a lower weight appear larger than a diamond of a higher weight. Additionally, the carat is not the only factor to determine the value of a diamond, other factors such as clarity, colour and cut are important too.

    In the gold industry, the purity of gold is measured in carats (abbreviated "ct"), with 24 karats being pure gold and lower carat numbers indicating a lower purity level. So, for example, 18 carat gold is 18/24 or 75% pure gold, and 12 carat gold is 12/24 or 50% pure gold.
  • Attributed - A cataloguing term where the item in the opinion of the cataloguers, is a of the period of the artist, craftsman or designer, and which probably in whole or part is the work of that person.
  • Obverse - Obverse means the front face of a coin or medal, and the reverse means the back face. The obverse of a coin is commonly called heads, because it often depicts the head of a monarch or famous person.

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