An exciting find!

Made in the Arts & Crafts style, this Silver & Lapiz Lazuli Brooch is signed Wager. It is still quite easy to find similar pieces from this genre, but only rarely does one see a signed Wager piece.

Working in Sydney and a member of the Arts & Crafts Society of NSW, Wager is the best known Australian Craft Jeweller of this period. Her jewellery training was in Scotland at the Glasgow School of Arts. After a period in Fiji with her brother, Rhoda Wager relocated to Sydney in 1916. Here she married Percy Ashton, the son of notable Australian Artist Julian Ashton. Rhoda established a successful business employing several staff, before being joined by her niece Dorothy Wager 1928. Dorothy was taught by Rhoda and they worked together until 1939 when they had a falling out and Dorothy established her own studio. Rhoda retired in 1946, and like Dorothy retained working sketchbooks containing some 1200 designs. These sketchbooks are now at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

Wager's pieces were all handmade and typically included a foliate motif surrounding a central bezel set semi-precious gemstone. Her jewellery was popular and economical to produce.

Metal: Silver

Weight 7.2 grams

Length 7cm.

Mark: Applied WAGER nameplate

Reference: For similar examples see page 248 'Australian Jewellers Gold & Silversmiths Makers & Marks' Cavill Cocks & Grace

Condition: Excellent antique condition.

SEDGWICKS pride ourselves on sourcing and selling Antique & Estate Jewellery that is of fine quality and in great condition.

Antique & Estate Jewellery is seldom in perfect or ‘new’ condition as age is inherent for it to be classified as such. All items we sell are ‘Second-hand’ and will almost certainly show some signs of wear. These may include faint scuffmarks and small dents, even very minor repairs. These are considered acceptable when dealing with objects that have lived a full life. Any imperfections or minor damage will be listed in the description and visible in the photo.

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To help you make your assessment, many higher value items are accompanied by an Independent Valuation for Retail or Insurance Purposes.

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Australian Arts & Crafts Brooch, Rhoda Wager