An early Australian Amethyst pendant by Wendt

C1890,  Hallmarked 9ct and  J.M.W.  makers mark for Wendt, presented as a delicate and ornate scrolled panel of curved foliate styled gold , suspending a wire worked drop featuring claw and bezel set round amethyst of intense colour, further detailed by split pearls suspending from a chain link meeting to a single jump ring length 6ms, width 4cm.

Weight 2.9g

Wendt’s Jewellery House, established in 1854 by Danish-born silversmith Joachim Matthias Wendt, was a prominent jewellery and watchmaking firm in Adelaide, South Australia. Wendt emigrated to Adelaide in 1854 and quickly set up his own shop, utilizing the silversmithing skills he had acquired during his apprenticeship in Denmark. (Story Place)

The business gained a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, notably producing presentation pieces for the Duke of Edinburgh’s 1867 visit to Adelaide. This led to Wendt being appointed ‘Jeweller to His Royal Highness’ in the colony of South Australia. (J-Wire)

Wendt’s expanded its operations by opening branches in Mount Gambier in 1869 and Broken Hill in 1888. The firm was renowned for its innovative designs, including the use of Australian motifs and the creation of convertible jewellery pieces. Notably, the company produced a silver model of the Block 10 Mine at Broken Hill in 1893, showcasing their intricate craftsmanship. (Wikipedia)

The business remained under family management for five generations, adapting to changing styles and maintaining a reputation for quality. In 1954, to commemorate its centenary, Wendt’s published a history of the firm titled “Wendts: 100 years 1854-1954.” (Gabr)

Wendt’s Jewellery House continued to operate until the late 1990s, concluding over 140 years of service in the jewellery industry. (J-Wire)