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Antique Australian Edwardian 9ct Rose Gold Crucifix By Robert Rollason Circa 1905

Sale price$725.00 AUD

Laybys welcome! Contact Us today to secure your dream piece.
Charming and early Crucifix manufactured in Australia around 1905 by Robert Rollason (1888-1925) and hallmarked as such.

Crafted from 9ct rose gold which has **bloomed to give a higher yellow gold finish then the applied 9ct rose gold triangular accents and central cross have been applied.  The two tone effect of the yellow and rose is lovely… this poignant piece of antique history veritably glows!

Measuring a pleasing 3.6cm x 2.5cm this early piece of Australian history looks wonderful on a simple plain chain of either rose of yellow gold.

Hallmarked to the verso with Rollasons hallmark.

History of Robert Rollason

Robert Rollason founded his business in 1888 at 112 Kent street Sydney and was to become one of the foremost jewellery manufacturers in Australia.

By 1896 he moved his manufacturing to Castlereagh Street and by 1907 the firm chased their name to Rollason and Co and in 1910 Rollason and Co. Ltd.

Manufacturing a large range of gold and gem set jewellery, vesta and sovereign cases, chains and Albert watch chains the company moved to a larger premises at 112-114 Crown Street in 1922.

Two of their best chain makers Frederick Mountford and Henri Belle both went on to establish their own businesses in Sydney.

STONES
None
MEASUREMENTS
3.6 x 2.5cm
WEIGHT
2.66 Grams
MARKS
Rollasons symbol of back to back ‘RR’s / ‘R’ ‘ 9ct
CONDITION
Very very good antique condition.  Hollow in construction as per the era showing no dents or dings.  Engraving is lovely, blooming is in very good and present condition.  Minor marks to gold here and there, insignificant.

Please note boxes and chains are for display only unless otherwise stated.


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 gold item 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).