Jochim Mathias Wendt (1830-1917) arrived in Australia in 1854. He established Wendt Jewellers in Adelaide in 1854 and began a career of over 30 years as a leading retailer and manufacturer of jewellery and silver. By 1887 Wendt's Rundle Street business was employing 12 craftspeople and assistants. Wendt retired in 1903 and the business was taken over by his son Jule and stepson Herman Koeppen Wendt.

David O'Neil was presented with this fob and chain by the Lake View miners in 1895. Dave O'Neil resigned as manager of the Lake View Mine in Kalgoorlie in 1896 so this was most likely his parting gift . See: The West Australian , 29 July 1896, p. 5. O'Neil later managed the Golden Mile goldmine in Kalgoorlie. The mine 'proved rich beyond expectations'.

Fob and chain, gold, made by Jochim Mathias Wendt, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1895

A heavy 15ct gold chain and pendant medallion fob. Ornate double chain with two swivel catches attached at one end. A toggle bar and fob at the opposite end. Chain links of pink and yellow gold with elongated rectangular links. Four sided with flattened rod sections, the centre of each link is filled with a spiralled tube. Plain circular links at each end are then joined to a different three link chain section, each comprising a central, spiralled circular link and two spiralled knot-links.

The circular medallion fob has a flat, lipped rim band and incised relief decorative borders, surrounding a shovel mining motif. The other side engraved with an inscription.

Made: Wendt, Joachim Matthias; Australia; 1895

: Wendt, Joachim Matthias; Australia


Owned: O'Neil, David; South Australia; 1895

Maker's mark on medallion: "J.M.W./ 15c". Obverse has a raised cross & pick, reverse has engraved inscription "PRESENTED BY/ THE/ LAKE VIEW MINERS/ TO/ D. O'NEIL ESQ/ 29.11.95."

91/142

1895

30 mm