HMAS Melbourne (I) sweetheart brooch

Accession Number REL41795
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Enamel, Silver
Maker C T & S
Date made c 1913
Conflict Period 1910-1919
Description

Round, sterling silver and enamel sweetheart brooch in blue, red and white. The centre of the brooch carries a representation of the Corporation Seal first used by the City of Melbourne in 1842, which was adopted as the ship's badge of HMAS Melbourne (I). The centre of the badge carries a shield quartered by the cross of St George, within a silver wattle wreath. Beneath, on a blue scroll, is the motto 'VIRES ACQUIRIT EUNDO' [we gather strength as we go[. The shield is quartered in red and blue: the upper left quarter shows a representation of the golden fleece; the upper right quarter shows a whale; the lower left quarter shows a bull; and the lower right a sailing ship. Above the shield is the upper half of a kangaroo. The badge is superimposed on a white enamelled ground, with a silver edged blue rim bearing the words, 'H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE'.

The back of the brooch has a simple pin fitting, and a ring to take a safety chain (not present). 'C.T&S. STERLING SILVER' is impressed across the bottom.

History / Summary

The history of this item is unknown. It likely to have been produced as a sweetheart brooch to celebrate the commissioning of HMAS Melbourne (I), a Chatham class light cruiser, into the Royal Australian Navy in 1913.

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