Lot 999

Description

Agricultural Society of New South Wales, in silver (52mm) by Christian L. Qwist, c.1865, plain edge. obverse above and below 'Agricultural Society of N.S.Wales.' together with a central silver openworked group of leaves and fruit, reverse inscribed 'Awarded to John Good Esq For best collection of oranges'. Extremely fine and probably unique, with scroll and bar attachment to a Royal blue ribbon, bar pin attachment for support for ribbon and medal.

A most important Agricultural Medal. Christian L. Qwist (c.1818-1877) was a native of Denmark, who arrived in Australia about 1852. He first settled on the Victorian goldfields at Sandhurst (Bendigo) and came to Sydney about 1860 where he was employed by Hogarth, Erichsen & Co. He is first listed on his own account in Sydney directories at 15 Hunter Street in 1864 and at 11 Hunter Street between 1867 and 1873. From 1875 to 1877 he was at 17 Hunter Street, in partnership with T.Clarke. His apprentices include Evan Jones and C.A. Brown. He exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1867. His grandson is the famous tennis player Adrian Quist. (Schofield, Anne and Fahy, Kevin; Australian Jewellers 19th and early 20th century).