Gold tone metal and enamel Rising Sun badge sweetheart brooch

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c. 1915 - 1945

Overview

World War One or Two era gold tone metal and enamel sweetheart brooch. It features a voided triangular pendant hanging from a bow-shaped pin, centred with an Australian Rising Sun badge.
The gold words 'Australian Commonwealth Military Forces' are embedded in blue enamel at the bottom and the King's Crown has red enamel detailing.
The bow is made from pressed metal, while the pendant has a solid metal triangular frame at the back which includes a central cross piece to which the Rising Sun badge is attached.
There are no maker's marks.

Historical information

During both World Wars, patriotic military sweetheart items were widely purchased by servicemen to give to their mothers, sisters, wives or girlfriends to wear at home as a token of remembrance and pride.

The Rising Sun badge is of the third pattern which was the emblem for the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces from 1904-1949.
Although such items may have been produced during World War Two, it is more likely that is is from the World War One period. This is due to the pairing of badge and boomerang, but also that the Australian government placed a strict ban on manufacturing commercial jewellery in 1942 to redirect metals and materials toward the necessary war effort. However, it is not possible to be absolutely certain when it was produced.

This is one of several Rising Sun badges in the form of stick pins and brooches held in the collection.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01027

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Jewellery

Personal Effects

Souvenirs

Themes