Australian Historical Medals (1788-1885)

Lot 741    SESSION 3 (John Chapman Collection, 2.30pm Tuesday)    Australian Historical Medals (1788-1885)

Estimate $50,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $51,000

RUSSIA, Imperial Court Presentation Jewel (48.43mm x 63.45mm) with brooch mount, comprising a central amethyst surrounded by a cluster of diamonds, within a gold oval ring with green enamelled facings top and at both sides, a double headed Imperial eagle holding sceptre and orb in gold at base. In red case of issue with silver plaque affixed to lid inscribed `Presented by / His Imperial Majesty / the Emperor of all the / Russias / To / D.J.Williams, Esq M.D. / Surgeon to H.I.M.Yacht / `Queen Victoria'. A highly important piece presented by Czar Nicholas I of Russia to Dr D.J.Williams of Eureka fame. Extremely fine and extremely rare.

Provenance The current owner acquired this piece in the late 1950s from a direct descendant of Dr D.J.Williams. David John Williams (1819-1902) Born in Glamorganshire, Wales, in 1819, he studied medicine in England and Scotland, graduating M.R.C.S. Eng., 1841; L.S.A. Lond., 1845; M.D. St Andrews, 1848; F.R.C.S. Eng., 1861. In 1844 he sailed aboard the `Templar' as Surgeon-Superintendent arriving in Sydney in August of that year. On his return to England he served in Russia as part of the English Medical Service. He was appointed personal medical officer to Czar Nicholas I and spent the summer sailing with the Czar aboard his yacht `Queen Victoria', and the winter serving in hospitals in St Petersburg. On leaving Russia Dr Williams was presented with the Order of St Anne by Czar Nicholas. Arriving in Melbourne aboard the `Bride' in May 1853 Williams went first into private practice, then Government service before being posted to the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean in September 1853. Williams was transferred to Ballarat as District Surgeon, whilst there he conducted the inquest into the death of James Scobie on 7 October 1854 and, later that of Henry Powell on 9 December 1854 (who was wounded during the Eureka rebellion). As Camp Doctor Williams attended to the wounded from the Eureka rebellion. Dr Williams remained in Ballarat as coroner when the position of District Surgeon was abolished. He resigned in March 1855, visited England and on his return settled in Queenscliffe serving first as Assistant Health Officer at the Heads in 1858, then as Health Officer in 1867. Whilst in Queenscliffe he took an active part in civic and church affairs, being elected to the Council and becoming the first Mayor of the Borough of Queenscliffe in 1863. Williams died in 1902 and was buried in Queenscliffe. St George's Church vestry erected a rear window as a memorial to Dr Williams in recognition of his long and invaluable contribution to the church. (References: `Goldrush Doctors at Ballarat' by Keith Macrae Bowden, Mulgrave, 1977; `Great News Stories of Queenscliff').