Kilpatrick & Co. 18ct Gold and Citrine Cameo Collar

Kilpatrick & Co, 18ct gold, seed pearl and citrine cameo collar, Australian, circa 1870, designed as a flat square floret link collar between beaded borders, the front suspending a detachable oval shaped citrine cameo depicting a classical female head within a seedpearl-set surround and bale, pendant length 50 mm, inner circumference 360 mm, accompanied by a Kilpatrick & Co. Goldsmiths & Jewellers to his Excellency 39 Collins St West Melbourne fitted case. This necklace is illustrated in a. Schofield, K. Fahy, Australian jewellery 19th and early 20th century, (1990) David Ell press, Balmain NSW, p. 60. In 1853 the firm Kilpatrick & Co. Was set up as a wholesaler jeweller at 20 Queen Street, Melbourne. In 1855 the business had experienced significant growth and moved to 39 Collins St, this address appears on the inner lining on the case of the present lot. During this time the business cemented itself as an extensive jewellery manufacturer, employing some twenty craftsmen as well as outsourcing a significant amount of work to outside artisans. Kilpatrick & Co. Successfully exhibited their jewels at numerous exhibitions in Melbourne including the Melbourne international exhibition in 1880-81 where it was awarded a first order of Merit having already been awarded the medal of diamond and gem setting at the Sydney Intercolonial exhibition in 1870. In 1925 the business was taken over by the renowned Melbourne jewellery establishment, William Drummond & Co.