Please note, boxes are for display only unless otherwise stated.

A poignant and utterly charming brooch dating the the early 20th century and crafted right here in Australia by one of our well know jewellery firms - Aronson & Co.

Crafted from bright and lush 9ct yellow gold and set with an array of faux half seed Pearls (very typical of the era), in the motif of a ‘Lily of the Valley’ flower.

‘Known as the May lily the symbolism surrounding the Lily is one of a ‘return to happiness’ and representing ‘purity, happiness, luck and humility’.

Crafted by our iconic early Australian jewellery firm Aronson & Co, and hallmarked with their makers symbol - a Flag -  9ct stamp, and the Manufacturing Jewellers Association guarantee mark of the ‘wheat sheaf’.

A large piece which measures an impressive 5.5cm in length and 2.0cm wide, exquisite in design and manufacture, and looks simply divine on your favourite lapel.

Pieces of this large and impressive quality don’t present them selves often.  One for the true collector of quality antique Australian jewellery.

STONES
Faux half seeds Pearls

MEASUREMENTS
Length - 5.5cm
Width at widest - 2.0cm

WEIGHT
6.12 Grams

MARKS
Fully hallmarked for Aronson / 9ct and the M.J.A. Wheatsheaf guarantee mark for 9ct gold 

ERA
Edwardian 1901-1915

CONDITION
Very good antique condition.  One tiny faux Pearl has been reset, mentioning for accuracy only, all others are original and well set with no re-glues.  A substantial and beautifully made piece by one of our finest early jewellery firms. Original C clasp and pin to verso, pin is stamped ‘gilt’, very typical of the day and used for strength and longevity.  A stunning piece of Australiana. 

HISTORY OF LILY OF THE VALLEY

On May 1, 1561, King Charles IX received lily of the valley as a gift of luck and continued the tradition every first of May by giving the women of his court this fragrant flower. Today, every year in France, bunches of lily of the valley are sold on streets. It is also considered the flower of fairies, its tiny bells used as cups from which to drink.

HISTORY OF ARONSON & CO.
Aronson & Co. was the successor of Rosenthal, Aronson and Co. founded in 1878.
David Rosenthal, taking advantage of the opportunities that were to flow from the gold discoveries in Victoria in 1851, had built up a considerable wholesale jewellery and importing business in Melbourne during the 1860’s and 1870’s.

In 1874 David Rosenthal’s business became ‘David Rosenthal and Co., of 15 Collins Street West. The ‘and Co.’ was Saul Philip Aronson who was listed as a partner in 1876.
in 1878 George Alfred Aronson joined the partnership. The firm became Rosenthal, Aronson and Co.

From 1889 to 1892 they were listed at 362 little Collins Street. In 1893 they moved to 275-281 Lonsdale Street Melbourne. Along with their Australian departments they also had offices in London.

By 1898 they were also trading at 97 Queen Street, Brisbane.
At some stage unknown to us, there were four brothers involved in the business….Saul, George, Norman, and Frederick Aronson!

In 1900 the various partnership arrangements involving the four brothers were dissolved.  By 1902 the Australian operations were incorporated as Aronson and Co. Pty Ltd at 297-299 Little Collins street Melbourne.  The newly formed company advertised as manufacturing jewellers and importers. The established wholesaling operation in Sydney and Brisbane were continued, and a branch was opened in Adelaide in 1912.

The Aronsons closed their manufactory in the midst of the Great Depression in 1930. 
Norman Aronson had retired in 1927 having spent 53 years in the trade.

Aronson and Co. continued to operate as wholesalers and importers in Sydney until 1947.

Credit: Australian Jewellers: Gold & Silversmiths Makers & Marks. Cavill, Cocks & Grace