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William Lamborn Colonial Australian c1855 "Forget Me Not" 18K Gold Signet Ring

$4,408
£3,344.69
€3,824.35
CA$6,156.78
A$6,845.50
CHF 3,574.34
MX$83,326.43
NOK 45,607.07
SEK 42,731.64
DKK 28,541.85
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About the Item

This extraordinary piece of Australian Colonial history was created by renowned gold rush jeweller William Lamborn, Melbourne-based & who was amongst the finest of jewellers at that time. Unrivalled in value, finds such as these truly deserve a museum display… Despite being 170 years old – dating back to Victorian period, year of 1855 – the ring is in remarkably good condition. This Australiana piece is an Antique Signet Ring, meticulously crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, it features a rhombus shaped panel (14.5mm x 11.5mm), engraved with lettering ‘Forget Me Not’ & intricate foliate design, flanked by split shoulders, chased & embossed in foliate motif William Lamborn's jewellery design prominently incorporates elements from the natural world, adapting traditional English motifs like the forget-me-not, ivy, rose, and acanthus to feature Australian flora and fauna. Inside of the shank is bearing Australia hallmarks: W.L. for William Lamborn - maker's mark letter date - 1855 Rounded shank is solid & figure-hugging, it measures 4 – 3.5mm Total item’s weight: 6.1gr. Ring’s size: O ½ (re-sizable) After the discovery of gold in Victoria, Australia, in 1851, a gold rush ensued, rapidly transforming Melbourne into one of the wealthiest cities in the world. This boom attracted European-trained jewellers who capitalized on the sudden influx of gold, creating stunning pieces that showcased the rich, buttery metal. William Lamborn, born in London in 1826, arrived in Melbourne in 1852. Emigrating to a distant, largely undeveloped colony in search of profit was a risky move, with the possibility of little to no return. But he quickly became a prominent jeweller with a thriving business. His children eventually took over the successful company, leaving a legacy of some of the most captivating Australian-designed jewellery. Lamborn & Wagner, founded by William Lamborn and Leopold Wagner, operated out of Lonsdale Street in Melbourne during the mid to late 19th century. This truly unique & a fascinating piece of history would be an important addition to any antique jewellery collection and a certain heirloom for future generations. It comes in a vintage box, accompanied by valuation certificate This one-of-a-kind piece is ready for the next 100 years of its fascinating life
  • Creator:
    William Lamborn
  • Ring Size:
    7.25 US, Resizable
  • Metal:
  • Weight:
    6.1 g
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1855
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    MELBOURNE, AU
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3412225464882

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