Lot 4175

Description

Australian made gold bracelet, c1855, attributed to Alfred Lorking, 165 George Street, Sydney, handcrafted in yellow gold (probably 15ct or 18ct, 27.1g), hollow shank, snap hinged with two further hinges at sides, head 40mm wide, band 10mm at base, 55mm inner measurement, delicate filigree design of a grape vine and vine leaves surrounding a central bunch of grapes in the form of seed pearls. Minor denting, tiny hole near bottom of grapes and possibly a small repair, otherwise intact and an extremely rare and esquisite piece of early colonial jewellery.

Not much is known about Alfred Lorking (1825-1883) other than he was a jeweller active in Sydney c1853-59. He emigrated to Australia from Stratford, Great Britain in 1851.

The style of his work is very distinctive. A similar piece held by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney is illustrated in 'Australian Jewellery, 19th and Early 20th Century' by Anne Schofield & Kevin Fahy, p219.

Lorking was reported as having made presentation pieces for the Honourable Mrs Keith Stewart, daughter of Governor Fitzroy on her departure from the colony in 1853. The label on the box of the Museum piece indicates Lorking at 165 George Street but at some stage he took over the business of T.Hale at 496 George Street. It would appear that in 1867 he was ajudged bankrupt. Very few sales of his work have been recorded in recent years.

See the next lot for a brooch of similar design attributed to Lorking.