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

A particularly pretty piece of antique Australian jewellery handcrafted right here in Australia by one of our well known early jewellery firms - Aronson & Co. and dating to the Edwardian era circa 1910-15.

Crafted from lush 15ct yellow gold and designed as a popular, then and now, ‘Starburst’ with six rayed ‘bursts’ set with an array of natural half seed Pearls.  The Pearls are all original with no messy re-glues.. and graduated in size resulting in a lovely tiered arrangement.
Although designed as a Starburst we are getting Starfish vibes from this interesting piece as the tips of the rays curve upwards in almost Starfish style!  

Complete with its original pin and Clasp to the verso for secure attachment, this wonderful piece does have a tiny and very early reinforcement beneath the bar to the back.. please read condition report below, this does not affect the brooch, is stable and well done and obviously cannot be seen from the front.

Fully hallmarked with the series of Australian hallmarks used by Aronson & Co. to the verso, this exotic and very wearable pin is a must for the Australian antique jewellery connoisseur.

STONES
Natural half seed Pearl

MEASUREMENTS

WEIGHT
3.88 Grams

ERA
Edwardian 1901-1915

MARKS
Flag symbol used by Aronson & Co. / 15 / Hanging Fleece M.J.A of Victoria guarantee symbol for 15ct gold

CONDITION
Good antique condition.  All Pearls are original, well set with no re-glues.  To the verso beneath the ‘bar’ brooch there is a small reinforcement in silver solder.. this is a minor  early repair and strong and stable, does not affect the beauty and originality of this brooch.  Pin and clasp are original, and fastens securely.  The series of Australian hallmarks are crisp and legible.  No other repairs or damages.  

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.