In many respects the history of Wendt's is a potted history of Australian gold and silver smithing. State directories of the late 1800s show that they sold watches, jewellery, rings, trophies, church plate, optical goods and electroplate. They also repaired watches and jewellery.

Joachim Matthias Wendt arrived in Port Adelaide in 1854, just 18 years after the foundation of South Australia. He was born in 1830 in Denmark. His mother died when he was nine years of age, leaving his father to look after him and two sisters. Joachim became a watchmaker's apprentice.

He brought these skills to South Australia, quickly opening a small watchmaking and jewellery shop in Pirie Street, Adelaide. Business was good and so he soon moved to better premises in Rundle Street.

Wendt's soon became recognised as a top quality shop. The jewellery, silverware, watches and clocks were equal to the best which more...

69 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

An early Australian 9ct yellow gold opal chip specimen bar…

An early Australian 9ct yellow gold opal chip specimen bar brooch, J.M Wendt, Adelaide, Wt 4 grams

An unusual sterling silver-gilt and emu egg mechanical case on…

An unusual sterling silver-gilt and emu egg mechanical case on stand, ( Lady's Companion) makers mark of J M Wendt Adelaide, Australian 19th century. emu finial and gilt interior, push down spring mechanism that opens the two sides of the egg to reveal…

Wendts 18ct gold leaf brooch pendant, stunning 18ct yellow gold…

Wendts 18ct gold leaf brooch pendant, stunning 18ct yellow gold pendant brooch with grape vine and leaf decoration, 10.3grams

Antique 9ct yellow gold garnet earrings, screw back studs with…

Vintage Garnet Studs in 9ct Gold with Leather Box

Antique 9ct yellow gold garnet earrings, screw back studs with chequered design set with five round shape garnets with Wendts Ltd. Leather box

18ct white gold diamond sapphire ring, row ring set with blue…

Wendt's 18ct White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring

18ct white gold diamond sapphire ring, row ring set with blue sapphires to middle row end six round diamonds to each side and six smaller diamonds to shoulders, stamped Wendt's

Wendt antique 15ct gold ring set with a hard stone cameo, South…

Wendt 15ct Gold Cameo Ring from 19th Century SA

Wendt antique 15ct gold ring set with a hard stone cameo, South Australian origin, 19th century, stamped 'Wendt, 15c',

An Andreas Mikkelsen Danish silver collar, designed by Ove…

Andreas Mikkelsen Danish Silver Collar by Ove Wendt

An Andreas Mikkelsen Danish silver collar, designed by Ove Wendt, width 12.7 mm, internal diam 11.3 cm. Wt. 58.98g.

Australian sterling silver cameo brooch, marked Stg.Sil, Wendts,…

Marcasite Cameo Brooch from Wendts, Early 20th Century

Australian sterling silver cameo brooch, marked Stg.Sil, Wendts, early 20th century, the cameo set within a petalled edge sterling silver frame set with marcasite stones, with safety chain and clasp, 4.5 cm x 3.7 cm

Victorian 15ct leaf design picture brooch, in the Wendt's style…

Victorian 15ct Leaf Picture Brooch with Drop Pendant

Victorian 15ct leaf design picture brooch, in the Wendt's style with embossed leaf and shell decoration also drop pendant

Wendt's Australian 9ct yellow gold brooch set with amethyst cut…

Wendt's Amethyst Brooch in 9ct Gold

Wendt's Australian 9ct yellow gold brooch set with amethyst cut mineral specimen, 20th century, stamped 'Wendt'S, 9ct', 5 cm wide

Wendt 9ct yellow gold bangle set with red stones and seed…

Wendt gold bangle with red stones and pearls

Wendt 9ct yellow gold bangle set with red stones and seed pearls, housed in original plush box marked 'J.M. Wendt, Adelaide', clasp stamped '9' with circular crown mark, 6.5 cm wide, 12.2 grams total

Wendt yellow gold ring set with rubies and diamonds, Adelaide,…

Wendt Ruby and Diamond Gold Ring, 19th Century

Wendt yellow gold ring set with rubies and diamonds, Adelaide, South Australian origin, 19th century, stamped 'Wendt.9',

Wendt Colonial pair of emu earrings, silver gilt, circa 1870, 2…

Wendt Colonial Emu Earrings, 1870

Wendt Colonial pair of emu earrings, silver gilt, circa 1870, 2 cm high

Fancy bow brooch, palladium and diamond bow brooch, stamp…

Palladium & Diamond Bow Brooch by Wendts - 5.85g

Fancy bow brooch, palladium and diamond bow brooch, stamp Wendts Palad, 5.85g

19th century Australian gold, ruby and pearl brooch, attributed…

Wendt Jewellers' Gold, Ruby, and Pearl Brooch

19th century Australian gold, ruby and pearl brooch, attributed to Wendt Jewellers, Adelaide, featuring a cushion cut ruby claw set in 18ct yellow gold upon a blister pearl plaque bezel set in an 18ct yellow gold frame with greek key detailing, 15 grams,…

Citrine and 9ct yellow gold ring marked 375 Wendt. Approx 1@ 10…

Citrine and Gold Ring by Wendt - Size T-U

Citrine and 9ct yellow gold ring marked 375 Wendt. Approx 1@ 10 mm x 6 mm, ring size T-U, weight 3.3 grams

Wendt Australian 18ct gold mounted cameo brooch, South…

Wendt 18ct Gold Cameo Brooch, 19th Century, South Australia

Wendt Australian 18ct gold mounted cameo brooch, South Australian origin, 19th century, stamped 'Wendt, 18', 4 x 3 cm

Wendt Australian 9ct gold and jasper brooch, South Australian…

Wendt Jasper Brooch, 9ct Gold, 19th Century

Wendt Australian 9ct gold and jasper brooch, South Australian origin, 19th century, stamped 'Wendt,9', 3.8 cm wide

A pair of 15ct yellow gold and Chiastolite cufflinks by Wendts,…

Wendts Chiastolite Cufflinks in 15ct Yellow Gold

A pair of 15ct yellow gold and Chiastolite cufflinks by Wendts, Adelaide (1830-1917), the cut-cornered square stone pieces in a four claw setting with chain link supports, marked '15c' and 'Wendts'.

A half pearl and gold initial 'M' bar brooch. (cased Wendt,…

Gold Initial 'M' Bar Brooch with Half Pearl

A half pearl and gold initial 'M' bar brooch. (cased Wendt, Adelaide)

A cameo ring by Wendt, the carved marquise shaped sardonyx…

Wendt 18ct Gold Nymph Cameo Ring

A cameo ring by Wendt, the carved marquise shaped sardonyx cameo depicting a nymph, hallmarked, in 18ct gold, ring size S.

A Vinatge Australian 9ct gold stone set brooch by Wendt;…

Wendt Tiger's Iron Gold Brooch - Vintage Australian Jewelry

A Vinatge Australian 9ct gold stone set brooch by Wendt; tiger''s iron piece in gold frame, signed, size 33 x 10 x 8 mm, wt. 7.89g.

J. M. Wendt 15ct yellow gold vine leaves and forget-me-knot…

J.M. Wendt Forget-Me-Knot Brooch

J. M. Wendt 15ct yellow gold vine leaves and forget-me-knot brooch c.1880's, signed Jmw verso, width 3.5 cm, weight 5.1gr

A South Australian 9ct cameo brooch by Wendt's of Adelaide c.…

Wendt's 9ct Maiden Cameo Brooch from Adelaide

A South Australian 9ct cameo brooch by Wendt's of Adelaide c.1900 - 1910 depicting portrait of a maiden, stamped 9ct & Wendt with Wendt retailers box height: 3.2 cml total weight: 9.2gms

An antique diamond bangle by Wendt, the hinged bangle centrally…

Wendt Antique Diamond Bangle with 1.65ct Total Weight

An antique diamond bangle by Wendt, the hinged bangle centrally set with a pierced cluster of old European cut diamonds, flanked by open diamond set panels, totalling 1.65cts, in rhodium plated 15ct gold.

A sapphire and diamond brooch, of spray design, featuring…

Spray Design Sapphire and Diamond Brooch

A sapphire and diamond brooch, of spray design, featuring eighteen sapphires with single cut diamond detail, in 18ct white gold, retailed by Wendts.

A pair of antique Australian 18 carat gold studs, later 19th…

Antique Australian 18ct Gold Studs by J.M. Wendt

A pair of antique Australian 18 carat gold studs, later 19th century, with mark of J.M. Wendt, dress shirt studs with scroll and floral work to the buttons and marked Jmw, with gold stamp underside, diameter 1 cm

An antique gold cameo by Wendt of Adelaide, 9ct yellow gold,…

Late 19th Century Wendt Adelaide Cameo Brooch

An antique gold cameo by Wendt of Adelaide, 9ct yellow gold, hallmarked, late 19th century, made as an oval plaque style, shell cameo brooch with fawn ground, carved to intricately depict a Grecian, woman with ornate headdress, bezel set, fitted with pin…

J.M. Wendt (attributed), South Australian silver emu egg cameo…

SA Silver Emu Egg Cameo with Kangaroo & Emu Scene

J.M. Wendt (attributed), South Australian silver emu egg cameo insert with kangaroo and emu scene, 19th century, 4 cm high, 4 cm wide, 2 cm deep

J.M. Wendt (attributed) mourning brooch, yellow gold and…

Gold and Malachite Mourning Brooch with Hair Lock Back

J.M. Wendt (attributed) mourning brooch, yellow gold and malachite with hair lock back, South Australian origin, 19th century, 4 cm wide

Bar brooch 18ct gold, diamond & ruby, stamped Wendts

Wendts 18ct Gold Diamond Ruby Bar Brooch

Bar brooch 18ct gold, diamond & ruby, stamped Wendts

15ct gold cameo brooch, Wendt, approx. 6gr

15ct Gold Wendt Cameo Brooch - 6g

15ct gold cameo brooch, Wendt, approx. 6gr

A South Australian Colonial brooch by T.M. Wendt banded agate…

T.M. Wendt 9ct Agate Brooch from South Australia

A South Australian Colonial brooch by T.M. Wendt banded agate set in 9ct marked ''Wendts'' verso width 5 cm 17.5 grams

An Australian Solid Opal and Gold Brooch by Jochim M Wendt, 70…

Australian Solid Opal and Gold Brooch by Jochim M Wendt

An Australian Solid Opal and Gold Brooch by Jochim M Wendt, 70 Rundle Street, Adelaide, circa 1900, set with a Cooper Pedy off-oval solid white opal on a plain gold bar marked 'Wendt/9ct, opal approx. 28 x 19 x 5.5 mm, approx 15 carats

A pair of South Australian sterling silver cuff napkin rings,…

South Australian Sterling Silver Cuff Napkin Rings

A pair of South Australian sterling silver cuff napkin rings, late 19th century, marked sterling silver with maker's mark for Wendt of Adelaide (and Broken Hill); with Queen's head punch, fashioned as slightly conical military uniform cuffs with buttons…

An Etruscan revival gold bangle, circa 1870, the hinged bangle…

Etruscan Revival Gold Bangle with Rams Head Terminal

An Etruscan revival gold bangle, circa 1870, the hinged bangle with a finely detailed rams head terminal and applied gold wirework decoration. 18ct yellow gold. Weight 54.61 grams. Inside diameter 5.5 cm. Stamped on catch but indecipherable, fitted box…

A lemon quartz cocktail ring by Wendt, of modernist design,…

Wendt Lemon Quartz Cocktail Ring

A lemon quartz cocktail ring by Wendt, of modernist design, comprising an oval fancy cut lemon quartz of 67.00cts, offset by three round brilliant cut diamonds totalling 0.30cts, mounted in 18ct gold, signed Wendt, ring size O

An Australian gold and turquoise bangle by Wendt, the circular…

Wendt's Turquoise and Gold Bangle

An Australian gold and turquoise bangle by Wendt, the circular bangle having engraved decoration and set throughout with turquoise, in rose gold.

Important J.M. Wendt (South Australian) 15ct yellow gold brooch…

15ct Gold Scarab Beetle Brooch with Safety Chain

Important J.M. Wendt (South Australian) 15ct yellow gold brooch set with two scarab beetles, hallmarked with safety chain

An antique Australian gem-set Federation brooch by Wendt,…

Wendt's Australian Gem-set Federation Brooch

An antique Australian gem-set Federation brooch by Wendt, comprising twelve old European cut diamonds totalling 1.40cts, interspaced by a row of six round rubies and six round sapphires, signed Wendt, all mounted in 18ct gold, circa 1900.

Victorian diamond ring. An 18ct yellow gold half hoop ring set…

Victorian Diamond Half Hoop Ring by Wendts

Victorian diamond ring. An 18ct yellow gold half hoop ring set with four old mine cut diamonds in a platinum setting, approximately 0.50cts. Colour J, Clarity SI2 hallmarked Wendts

An antique Australian mother of pearl and gold brooch by Wendt,…

Wendt Mother of Pearl & Gold Brooch

An antique Australian mother of pearl and gold brooch by Wendt, the curved mother of pearl panel centrally set with a gold flower and mounted in an elaborate gold frame with bloomed finish, in 15ct gold, signed J.M.W. Circa 1870

Australian gold J. Wendt military forces cufflinks, from…

9ct Cufflinks from Australian Military Forces

Australian gold J. Wendt military forces cufflinks, from Commonwealth Military Forces, 9ct.

An antique 15 carat rose gold linged bangle set with large…

Antique Amethyst Bangle by J.M. Wendt in Original Box

An antique 15 carat rose gold linged bangle set with large amethyst, stamped J.M Wendt, in original Wendts box

15 carat gold pearl brooch by J.M Wendt

J.M Wendt's 15ct Gold Pearl Brooch

15 carat gold pearl brooch by J.M Wendt

Set of 18 carat dress studs by J.M Wendt in original case

18ct Dress Studs by J.M. Wendt in Original Case

Set of 18 carat dress studs by J.M Wendt in original case

Two antique brooches, both Edwardian, one 9ct yellow gold…

Edwardian Gold and Turquoise Brooches

Two antique brooches, both Edwardian, one 9ct yellow gold hallmarked by Wendt, designed as a curved bar of graduating size, seed pearl set with an overlaid spray of fine gold rails terminating in a cluster of red paste stones, along with a 15ct yellow…

9 carat opal set pendant & chain by Wendt

Opal Pendant with Chain by Wendt - 9 Carat

9 carat opal set pendant & chain by Wendt

An Australian 9ct yellow gold aquamarine necklace one round…

9ct Gold Aquamarine Necklace by J.M Wendt, Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow gold aquamarine necklace one round aquamarine measuring 7 mm, one oval aquamarine measuring 8 mm x 6 mm, made by J.M Wendt, Adelaide.

An Australian 18ct yellow gold and platinum diamond ring one…

18ct Gold & Platinum Diamond Ring by Wendts, Adelaide

An Australian 18ct yellow gold and platinum diamond ring one brilliant round cut diamond, 0.15ct, made by Wendts, Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow gold cameo brooch a shell cameo in…

Australian 9ct Gold Cameo Brooch by J.M. Wendt

An Australian 9ct yellow gold cameo brooch a shell cameo in white and tan, made by J.M Wendt, Adelaide. As seen in Australian Jewellers by Cavill, Cocks and Grace, plate number 308

An Australian 15ct yellow gold engraved lozenge bar brooch made…

J.M Wendt's Engraved Gold Lozenge Brooch from Australia

An Australian 15ct yellow gold engraved lozenge bar brooch made by J.M Wendt, Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow gold smokey quartz brooch one oval…

Australian 9ct Gold Smokey Quartz Brooch by J.M. Wendt

An Australian 9ct yellow gold smokey quartz brooch one oval smokey quartz measuring 17 mm x 13 mm, made by J.M Wendt, Adelaide. As seen in Australian Jewellers by Cavill, Cocks and Grace, plate number 308

An Australian 9ct yellow gold circle and twist chain made by J.…

Australian 9ct Gold Circle & Twist Chain by J.M Wendt

An Australian 9ct yellow gold circle and twist chain made by J.M Wendt, Adelaide total weight: 41.2grams

An Australian 15ct yellow gold cameo brooch made by J.M Wendt,…

J.M Wendt's 15ct Yellow Gold Cameo Brooch from Adelaide

An Australian 15ct yellow gold cameo brooch made by J.M Wendt, Adelaide

An Australian pair of 9ct yellow gold Australian Commonwealth…

Australian Military Cufflinks by Wendts, Adelaide

An Australian pair of 9ct yellow gold Australian Commonwealth military Forces cufflinks made by Wendts, Adelaide

An Australian 18ct yellow gold and platinum ruby and diamond…

Wendts' Ruby and Diamond Ring in Gold and Platinum

An Australian 18ct yellow gold and platinum ruby and diamond ring two round rubies with six old mine cut diamonds, made by Wendts, Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow and white gold opal ring one round…

Australian Opal Ring by Wendts Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow and white gold opal ring one round crystal opal, made by Wendts, Adelaide

An Australian ruby and diamond ring with a band ring one 15ct…

Australian Ruby and Diamond Ring Set by Stevenson and Wendt

An Australian ruby and diamond ring with a band ring one 15ct yellow gold ruby and two old cut diamond ring, made by Stevenson, Adelaide with one 18ct yellow gold band ring made by Wendt, Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow gold handpainted porcelain brooch…

Handpainted Australian Wildflower Brooch by Wendt Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow gold handpainted porcelain brooch Australian wild flower, made by Wendt, Adelaide

An Australian 9ct yellow gold opal brooch a bar brooch set with…

Australian Opal Brooch by J.M. Wendt

An Australian 9ct yellow gold opal brooch a bar brooch set with one slightly off oval crystal opal measuring 3 cm x 2 cm with green, red play of colour, made by J.M. Wendt, Adelaide.

An Australian 9ct yellow gold citrine stick pin one oval…

Australian 9ct Gold Citrine Stick Pin by J.M. Wendt

An Australian 9ct yellow gold citrine stick pin one oval citrine, measuring 10 mm x 7 mm, possibly made by J. M. Wendt, Adelaide.

18ct white gold ring set with central pearl and cluster of…

Wendts' Pearl and Diamond Cluster Ring

18ct white gold ring set with central pearl and cluster of diamonds by Wendts

A 9ct gold Wendt fob chain (30 grams)

30g 9ct Gold Wendt Fob Chain

A 9ct gold Wendt fob chain (30 grams)

South Australian Colonial 18ct yellow gold. Diamond and…

Wendt's 18ct Gold Diamond & Sapphire Ring

South Australian Colonial 18ct yellow gold. Diamond and sapphire ring, by Joachim Matthias Wendt (1830-7 to 1917), the ring is set with a central diamond flanked by two, blue sapphires. stamped '18ct' & 'Wendt'

Antique gold filigree leaf brooch, stamped J.M. Wendt

Gold Filigree Leaf Brooch by J.M. Wendt

Antique gold filigree leaf brooch, stamped J.M. Wendt

Two pairs of sleeve-links and an Australian 9ct rose gold stud,…

Gold Stud and Sleeve-links Set

Two pairs of sleeve-links and an Australian 9ct rose gold stud, Wendt. (3)

9ct map of Australian charm by J.M. Wendt on 9ct chain

Australian Charm Map Necklace

9ct map of Australian charm by J.M. Wendt on 9ct chain

An Australian 18ct yellow gold three diamond ring by Joachim…

Wendt's 18ct Yellow Gold Three Diamond Ring (1913)

An Australian 18ct yellow gold three diamond ring by Joachim Matthias Wendt of Adelaide, c.1913, set with three old brilliant cut diamonds, with makers mark 'Wendt'. engraved with date 10.12.13