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A FORRER VICTORIAN GARNET AND HAIRWORK BROOCHES WITH HISTORICAL PROVENANCE, CIRCA 1850
Comprising: a brooch, of bow design, composed of intricately woven hairwork forming six loops, accented by engraved mounts set with cabochon garnets, suspending an articulated gold-link chain and a similarly decorated garnet-set pendant drop, a glazed compartment to the reverse; the other designed as a gold lyre with fine wire strings and engraved detailing, mounted upon a quatrefoil arrangement of woven hairwork, mounted in 18ct gold, length 93mm and 29mm, combined gross weight approximately 16.6 grams.
Accompanied by:
an A. Forrer Artist in Hair & Jewellery fitted period box;
an A. Forrer Artist in Hair & Jewellery period box;
a miniature portrait of Lady Hindmarsh;
a miniature portrait of Mary Hindmarsh;
Notes: According to accompanying handwritten family documentation, the garnet-set hairwork brooch was made using the hair of Lady John Hindmarsh, wife of Rear Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh (1785–1860), the first Governor of South Australia. The note identifies A. Forrer, Artist in Hair and Jewellery, 136 Regent Street, London, as the maker and records the piece's subsequent descent through the Hindmarsh family. The note also refers to four Hindmarsh children being represented within the locket, suggesting that the pendant may have been intended as a family remembrance rather than exclusively a mourning jewel.
Comprising: a brooch, of bow design, composed of intricately woven hairwork forming six loops, accented by engraved mounts set with cabochon garnets, suspending an articulated gold-link chain and a similarly decorated garnet-set pendant drop, a glazed compartment to the reverse; the other designed as a gold lyre with fine wire strings and engraved detailing, mounted upon a quatrefoil arrangement of woven hairwork, mounted in 18ct gold, length 93mm and 29mm, combined gross weight approximately 16.6 grams.
Accompanied by:
an A. Forrer Artist in Hair & Jewellery fitted period box;
an A. Forrer Artist in Hair & Jewellery period box;
a miniature portrait of Lady Hindmarsh;
a miniature portrait of Mary Hindmarsh;
Notes: According to accompanying handwritten family documentation, the garnet-set hairwork brooch was made using the hair of Lady John Hindmarsh, wife of Rear Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh (1785–1860), the first Governor of South Australia. The note identifies A. Forrer, Artist in Hair and Jewellery, 136 Regent Street, London, as the maker and records the piece's subsequent descent through the Hindmarsh family. The note also refers to four Hindmarsh children being represented within the locket, suggesting that the pendant may have been intended as a family remembrance rather than exclusively a mourning jewel.
Estimate $800 - $1,200
The Anne Schofield AM Collection - A Legacy in Antique Jewellery
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8830
6:00pm - 1 December 2026
36-40 Queen Street, Woollahra
VIEWING
BNE: Sat 14 - Sun 15 November, 11am - 5pm
54 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe QLD
MEL: Fri 20 - Sun 22 November, 11am - 5pm
2 Oxley Road, Hawthorn VIC
SYD: Fri 27 – Sun 29 November, 11am - 5pm
The Bond, 36-40 Queen Street, Woollahra NSW
CONTACT
Lauren Boustridge
lauren.boustridge@leonardjoel.com.au
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