Stories
Articles, interviews, videos and more
-
Read • Gold bracelet highlights Australian flora & fauna
The discovery of gold in the 1850s started a series of rushes that transformed the Australian colonies. In the burgeoning economy of the gold rush … -
Read • Queensland jeweller & silversmith CA Brown
Australia’s colonial period was marked by an exuberant exploration of the Australian landscape, both physically and artistically, the artworks and ornamental delicacies that emerged … -
Read • Art Nouveau jewellery
Crafted by French master horn-carver Georges Pierre (1873–1943), Cicada pendant necklace c.1910 (illustrated), and three other delicate examples of Art Nouveau jewellery … -
Read • Gold and pearl bracelet: A glimpse of Queensland’s history
This charming gold and pearl bracelet on display at the Queensland Art Gallery, is a lovely example of work by the Brisbane firm Flavelle, Roberts … -
Read • Goldfield brooches: Uniquely Australian
A selection of an intriguing group of brooches made by unknown jewellers were produced in the Australian goldfields, circa 1880–1915 and are a peculiarly … -
Read • Family jewels tell two Queensland stories
The Gallery recently acquired a fine piece of late-nineteenth-century, Queensland-made jewellery — the D Mackay and Co. Gold and topaz bangle c.1900 … -
Read • The jewellery in The Fortune-Teller c.1630s
European jewellery of the Renaissance was colourful, opulent and intricate. It was also widely popular, as the portraiture of this time shows the often extraordinary … -
Read • The jewellery of Selvaggia Sassetti
The coral of Selvaggia Sassetti’s necklace would not have travelled far from its once plentiful source in the Mediterranean sea. Precious red coral grows … -
Read • The unique aesthetics of the Victorian era
The unique aesthetics of the Victorian era in our International Art Collection, is explored through painting, works on paper, the decorative arts, and by examining … -
Read • Loma Lautour: A rebellious spirit
Known for her versatility as an artist, her work ethic and her unconventional lifestyle, Loma Lautour is an eccentric and engaging personality in Australian art … -
Read • The beauty of Lola Greeno’s necklaces
Despite the ravages of colonisation, Palawa people have made necklaces of lustrous strings of pearlescent shells collected from the cool waters surrounding Lutruwita (Tasmania) and … -
Read • Hunt & Roskell’s Presentation vase
This magnificent Presentation vase 1864 is the most important example of Victorian silver in the Gallery’s Collection. Its elaborate decoration is unlike anything produced … -
Read • The jewellery of María Dolores de Aldama, Marchioness of Montelo
Wealthy, young and beautiful, she drew the rich and powerful to her like moths to a flame. María Dolores de Aldama was a lady known … -
Read • The Jewellery of Mrs Delicado de Imaz
Vicente López Portaña’s technical skill and precise depictions made him a favourite painter to a society eager to show off their status. His attention … -
Read • The Jewellery of widow María Antonia Gonzaga
Francisco de Goya’s portrait captures a small woman with a strong character — one can imagine her maintaining decisive control of her family’s fortunes … -
Read • The Jewellery of Tomás de Iriarte
The poet, playwright and composer Tomás de Iriarte (1750–91) who appears to be around 35 in this portrait wears a hard stone cameo on … -
Read • The jewellery of Empress Margarita of Austria
Margarita was born on 12 July 1651, the daughter of Philip IV and Mariana of Austria. On 12 December 1666, she married Emperor Leopold of … -
Read • The jewellery of Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia
Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566–1633), Philip II’s elder daughter and one of the most important women in the Spanish dynasty can be seen …