Gold fob and chain by J M Wendt
Object No. 91/142
Fob and chain, gold, made by Joachim Matthias Wendt, Adelaide, South Australia, 1895
Loading...
Summary
Physical Description
A heavy 15ct gold chain and pendant medallion fob. Ornate double chain with two swivel catches attached at one end. A toggle bar and fob at the opposite end. Chain links of pink and yellow gold with elongated rectangular links. Four sided with flattened rod sections, the centre of each link is filled with a spiralled tube. Plain circular links at each end are then joined to a different three link chain section, each comprising a central, spiralled circular link and two spiralled knot-links. The circular medallion fob has a flat, lipped rim band and incised relief decorative borders, surrounding a shovel mining motif. The other side engraved with an inscription.
DIMENSIONS
Height
8 mm
Width
135 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Joachim Matthias Wendt (1830-1917) arrived in Australia in 1854. He established Wendt Jewellers in Adelaide in 1854 and began a career of over 30 years as a leading retailer and manufacturer of jewellery and silver. By 1887 Wendt's Rundle Street business was employing 12 craftspeople and assistants. Wendt retired in 1903 and the business was taken over by his son Jule and stepson Herman Koeppen Wendt. http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wendt-joachim-matthias-9046
HISTORY
Notes
David O'Neil was presented with this fob and chain by the Lake View miners in 1895. Dave O'Neil resigned as manager of the Lake View Mine in Kalgoorlie in 1896 so this was most likely his parting gift . See: The West Australian , 29 July 1896, p. 5. O'Neil later managed the Golden Mile goldmine in Kalgoorlie. The mine 'proved rich beyond expectations'.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs T Newton, under the Tax Incentives for the Arts Scheme, 1991
Acquisition Date
26 March 1991
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry