Lot 3261

Description

Sydney International Exhibition, 1879, in bronze (76mm), no stop after CCC in date, by J.S.& A.B.Wyon, reverse inscribed, 'First Prize/Awarded/To/Evan Jones,/For/Silver Plate/1880.' A few minor edge nicks, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

Evan Jones was a jeweller born in London on 31 August 1846 and arrived in Australia on 26 March 1855. After serving an apprenticeship with a goldsmith in Hunter Street, Sydney he established his own business at 15 Hunter Street in the 1870s, later moving to number 11. By 1875 his business was well established operating from 494 George Street and the Royal Arcade. He also worked out of Erskine Street, Sydney. He was a notable manufacturing jeweller being commissioned to make a gold crown for the King of Tonga and also produced many Australian historical medals. As well as operating a successful business, Jones served on the Sydney Council for over 30 years between 1882 and 1917 and was a member of many important council committees. He died at Mosman on 10 May 1917 and was buried at Waverley Cemetery.