Antique Australian 15ct Gold Seed Pearl And Paste Crucifix - Robert Rollason - Circa 1910
A charming and early piece by Australian jeweller Robert Rollason 1888—1925) Sydney, one of Australia’s premier jewellery manufacturing firms.
Crafted from 15ct rose gold which has been gently *bloomed to give that beautiful rosy yellow combination of hues, and styled as an ornate crucifix with an applied raised floral sprig set with natural half seed Pearls and red faceted paste stones resembling garnets, and fine detailed engraving to each point of the crucifix.
Measuring a large 4.5cm x 3.5cm, this very attractive piece of antique Australian history is a collectors dream.
History of Blooming
Blooming, a popular finishing technique for karat gold jewelry from 1870 to 1890, was first documented in 1853. The means for creating a bloom finish involved dipping a karat into a boiling mixture of hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), saltpeter (potassium nitrate), salt and water.
This process burned off any alloys on the surface resulting in an alloy-free, thin layer of soft, pure gold on the item. This thin gold skin was dotted by an infinite number of microscopic pits or holes which caused the matte sheen. The effect is reminiscent of the soft skin found on a peach. Dipping the item into the boiling mixture was referred to as colouring, and resulting sheen was termed bloom".
(Credit Lang Antique University).
STONES
Natural Half Seed Pearl
Red paste (glass)
MEASUREMENTS
4.5cm x 3.5cm
WEIGHT
4.70 Grams
MARKS
Back to back ‘RR’ for Robert Rollason
15ct
CONDITION
Very good antique condition. No dents or dings to front, there are a couple of dings to the verso. All stones are original, no re-glues, just lovely. Top ‘split’ ring is not gold, we have left it as is as it is large and accommodates a large gauge chain, dog clip etc. A lovely piece of Australiana.
HISTORY OF ROBERT ROLLASON,ROLLASON AND CO LTD 1888-1925
The business founded in 1888 by Robert Rollason at 112 Kent street, Sydney, was to become one of the foremost manufacturers of gold Jewellery in Australia. During the Federation period many Australian jewellery firms developed their manufacturing operations. Of these, Robert Rollason had moved to Castlereagh Street in 1896; by 1907 the firm had become Rollason and Co. and then in 1910 Rollason and Co. Let, still located at 119-121 Castlereagh Street.
Towards the end of 1922, the company moved to new and enlarged premises at 112-114 Crown Street.
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Free Complimentary Express Shipping: Australia & Select International Countries.
We are pleased to offer free complimentary express postage, fully insured with tracking and signature on delivery using Australia Post.
For all international purchases, a third party postal company will complete the final stage of delivery.
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Caring For Antique & Vintage Jewellery
We absolutely pride ourselves on sourcing the best quality pieces for our customers, with many of our items valued by our registered jeweller/gemologist.
Our collection consists of pieces that are of antique and vintage condition, which means that all our items are secondhand and used. Customers are not purchasing 'new', 'perfect' and 'unworn items', and as such, should expect wear and imperfection. Any condition issues are always extensively mentioned in the condition summary.
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Please refer to our guide, Caring For Antique & Vintage Jewellery for more details.
Your Purchase: What Is Included?
Your purchase will be lovingly packaged in our custom made, eco-friendly Graisons Fine Jewellery Jewel box tied with ribbon inside our custom made packaging/mailing box.
For added safety and security, all purchases are shipped inside an Australia Post medium sized mailing box.
If your item includes an independent valuation, the physical certificate will be included.
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