WWI era double-sided photo pendant featuring sailor and soldier

c. 1915
Overview

World War One era double-sided, circular pendant locket containing the portraits of the head and shoulders of an Australian sailor on one side, and a different Australian soldier on the other.
The greyscale image on the front shows a sailor wearing his white cap with a black tally band on which the name 'HMAS Tingira' in written in contrasting thread. There is a rosette or cockade attached to the left, securing the tally band.
The portrait on the reverse shows a soldier dressed in uniform, with the rising sun collar badges visible on the lapels. He is wearing his peaked cap with leather band.
The circular border around the edge of the portraits is made from gold toned metal.. A thin piece of celluloid covers each photograph.
There are no hallmarks or maker's marks.
There is a gold metal spherical fixture at the top which has an affixed loop through which a chain could be threaded.

Historical information

The identities and relationship between the sailor and soldier in the portraits are unknown.
Photo lockets, pendants and brooches were very popular during wartime and there are a large number of them in the collection.

HMAS Tingira, often called The Cradle of the R.A.N., lay in the middle of Rose Bay (Sydney Harbour) from 25th April 1912 until 1927 as a training ship for lower deck new entries. The man pictured appears very young and the portrait presumably dates to World War One given the presence of the soldier on the reverse.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00827
Width
30 mm
Height or length
37 mm
Depth
3 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On cap of sailor:

"HMAS Tingira"

Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Tuesday, 20 January, 2026
Completeness
94
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Collage showing both sides of a photo pendant featuring a sailor and soldier
One side of a photo pendant featuring a sailor
One side of a photo pendant featuring a sailor
Oblique view of one side of a photo pendant featuring a sailor
Oblique view of one side of a photo pendant featuring a sailor
Oblique view of other side of a photo pendant featuring a sailor
Oblique view of other side of a photo pendant featuring a sailor
Other side of a photo pendant featuring a soldier
Other side of a photo pendant featuring a soldier
Oblique view of one side of a photo pendant featuring a soldier
Oblique view of one side of a photo pendant featuring a soldier
Oblique view of other side of a photo pendant featuring a soldier
Oblique view of other side of a photo pendant featuring a soldier

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