Afternoon Tea and Lecture: Gold Rush Jewellery with Trevor Hancock

The discovery of gold in Australia is the most important economic, social,  and political event in our nation's history.  At the centre of it all was the newly established Colony of Victoria. Indeed, per capita, Melbourne became the world's wealthiest city. 

With wealth from gold came the demand for jewellery crafted in local gold and in the latest international styles. As a result, goldsmiths in the City of Melbourne, suburbs and country towns crafted amazing pieces to showcase the new source of wealth. Sadly, over time, many of these treasures have now been melted down for bullion, but those that remain tell stories about taste and style in the early days of the colony. 

Join jewellery expert Trevor Hancock as he shares insights about Gold Rush Jewellery, a fascinating window into the past.  This presentation is part of our collaboration with The Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association (AAADA)  Rare pieces of jewellery will be available for guests to view and handle. 

Guests are encouraged to wear their own pieces of Gold Rush Jewellery. 

Trevor Hancock and his partner, Mark Dale, purchased an antique shop in Perth twenty-five years ago. Part of its stock included jewellery and over that period Trevor’s love and knowledge of antique jewellery expanded. Regular trips to auction houses and dealers in the U.K and time spent at the famous jewellery collections at the V&A and the British Museum  expanded his knowledge. 

Trevor’s particular interest is in Australian Colonial jewellery and he has identified and returned to Australia many important pieces. His clients include The National Gallery of Australia, The National Museum, The National Library, The Museum of Australian Democracy and State art galleries. Recently, the Museum of Victoria purchased a collection of   pieces of jewellery made from Victorian gold and crafted by jewellers in Melbourne and country Victoria. 

Trevor is a Accessor under the Australian Cultural Gifts Program and an Expert Advisor under the Australian Movable Cultural Heritage Act. 

Join The Friends for another interesting and stimulating presentation. Afternoon tea, to include an array of delicious petit fours and biscuits, will be served on arrival, and Trevor's presentation will follow. 

NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our exhibition-house, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition can be booked separately. 

This event is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust. 

Presenting Partner:

Image: Brooch - Miner's, Gold & Enamel, George Bell, c.1869. Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria. Photo: Rodney Start.