Colonial Australian Gold and Garnet Bow Brooch

This unique and historical brooch pin was manufactured in Victoria in the mid 19th century. By family repute, the brooch was crafted from gold that Alexander Fyfe (1826-1903) had mined in Ballarat as an early prospector, and later had manufactured into a brooch for his to be wife, Jane (pictured), in around 1854. The ornately engraved high carat gold bow has been set with 10 oval cut Australian 'almandine' type garnets and finished with a hinged pin and catch to the rear. Alexander Fyfe is noted as one of the first prospectors in Ballarat during the beginning of the gold rush before moving into a successful career in Victorian and Queensland politics. Fyfe held a seat in the Victorian Legislative Assembly in the 1850s and represented Rockhampton in the Queensland Legislative Assembly in the early 1870s. The realistically modelled brooch has been well worn and shows signs of use and repair, especially to the rear, all commensurate with age and use. There is a fine gold safety chain with additional pin attached to the piece for added security, however this could be removed if desired. This jewel has remained in the Fyfe family until being recently acquired by The Antique Guild in 2025 and is an important example of early Australian colonial jewellery. A remarkable survivor from the mid 19th Century, when Australia as we know it was still in its infancy.

Marked - unmarked however tests as 19 karat gold

Measures - 5.2cm W x 4cm L

Total weight of piece - 9.7 grams