Aboriginal breastplates or gorgets, sometimes known as King Plates, began to be presented to Aboriginal men presumed to be influential in their group in the 1820s, and the practice continued well into the late 19th Century. Though the concept of king or chief was not part of Aboriginal thought, the recipients of these titles and plates associated them with privileges in the settler community. They are now valued highly as an important part of the troubled history of the dispossession of Aboriginal people of their land. They were sometimes presented to keep the peace between the dispossessed and the European settlers and sometimes for services rendered to the settlers. There is little known about the men who received these plates. However, these examples are particularly important since they appear to have come down through the family which presented the plates, giving a notable provenance. The Henty family is extremely important in the history of the settlement of Victoria and also owned property in the southern part of NSW not far from the Murray. It is possible that at least one of these plates was presented on Round Hill Station or Walla Walla in NSW, owned at the relevant time by a member of the Henty family, managed by the James Henty's son Thomas, and perhaps the home of Murray Tommy, since the various relevant properties extend towards the Murray River.

James Wilson-Miller, Curator

Maker unknown, but both are of unusually fine quality.

Nothing is known of the recipients of these breast plates. The plates came to the Museum through the daughters of Robert Bullmore Henty, a direct descendent of James Henty (1806-1865), the eldest of the Henty brothers, the first permanent white settlers in the Port Phillip district of Victoria. They are believed to come through this side of the family, brought to Sydney by the donors' grandmother in the mid 20th century when the grandmother received a share of Henty historical objects. James Henty was a business man, and was not directly involved in the Henty family properties. His son Thomas managed Merino Downs for Edward in the 1850s, and by 1864 was leasing Round Hill Station near Culcairn in NSW. Since this is not far from the Murray River, it is possible that the breastplate for Murray Tommy came from this property.

The Henty family properties were mainly in South Western Victoria, in the Portland area. Although there are Victorian place names 'Charlton' and 'Pink Hills' or 'Pink Cliffs', they do not appear to be located near properties owned by the Henty family. The Murray River is along way north of the properties, but not far from Round Hill.

Robert Bullmore Henty, the donor, was grandson of James Henty and nephew of Thomas. His mother, Elfrida Bullmore was sister of Gretel Bullmore who married Frank Packer. Robert was Managing Director of Consolidated Press, working there for 30 years.

Breastplates (2), 'Murray Tommy King of Charlton, Lord of the Pink Hills', and 'Charley Prince of Oakwood 1864', brass, makers unknown, probably Victoria, Australia, c. 1864

Brass breast plate or gorget, with holes at top for chain. Engraved inscription reads: 'Murray Tommy/ King of/ Charlton/ And Lord of the Pink Hills' around bottom edge. Two gum leaves on either side of a lozenge shape are engraved below 'Charlton'. Crescent shaped, heavy, clear, fine quality engraving in capital letters with cross hatching inside the letters.

Brass breast plate or gorget, crescent shaped, with holes at top for chain. Engraved inscription reads: 'Charley/ Prince of/ Oakwood/ 1864'. An emu and kangaroo in heraldic pose face outwards from each top corner, facing a grass tree (Xanthorrhoea). Lighter scrolls are engraved under the name. The breastplate is made of very heavy quality brass, with very clear, deep engraving, all capital letters. It is heavier and deeper than /1. Reverse has five deeply etched patterns or part of patterns, with some green and pink colouring inside the engraved shapes.

Made: 1859 - 1869

1 . On reverse: a pitted spot, and some heavy dents in lines.
2 . Some red paint marks and cut marks on reverse. Several deeply engraved patterns running off the edge of the breastplate.

2012/21/1

1859 - 1869

90 mm

160 mm