Early Australian Gold Pendant

When travelling to Australia this summer, I am very pleased to visit an antique shop in Queensland. I said to the shopkeeper that I wanted an early piece of antique jewellery, something like Victorian or Edwardian. I am so happy that she pointed me to the direction of her gold collection. I then found this lovely piece of 9ct kangaroo pendant:

It has early Australian hallmark consists of three elements: the marker’s mark, the purity of gold, and the guarantee mark. See here for more info on early Australian hallmark.

The hallmark at the bottom of the pendant says: Unicorn + 9 + W

After researching online, I found out that the Unicorn and W hallmark belongs to Willis & Sons Pty. Ltd.

This is the history of Willis & Sons according to website www.carters.com.au :

Brothers Richard and Thomas Willis came to Melbourne in 1860s as jewellery importers and wholesalers. Around 1870 they began manufacturing jewellery. The partnership was dissolved in 1874. Thomas & V. J. Willis then created a company called T. Willis & Co. in 1875. The company was growing and expending to Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. In 1904 the company name changed into Willis & Sons Pty. Ltd. In 1931, the manufacturing side of the business was closed. (Source is here)

Based on the source above, I can suggest that my pendant was made in between 1904 – 1931. I would suggest that it maybe made in Edwardian time.

I am very happy with the finding of an early Australian gold. Although I am not very happy about the weight, as this pendant only weight about 0.8 gram. So less than 1 gram.

The shop where I found this pendant is an antique shop in Mareeba located in Byrnes St.