Gold tone metal and enamel Rising Sun badge sweetheart pendant locket

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c. 1915 - 1945

Overview

World War One or Two era circular gold tone metal and enamel Rising Sun badge sweetheart pendant locket.
It features a miniature Rising Sun badge with the words 'Australian Commonwealth Military Forces' embedded in blue enamel at the bottom and red enamel in a hemispherical arc around the King's Crown.
The two sides can be prised apart so that a small circular photo can be inserted. This would be visible on the underside of the locket. There is no photo in this locket, so the green backing sheet can be seen through the celluloid cover.
On the opposite side, the two metal tabs which hold the Rising Sun badge to the front are visible.
There is a metal ring attached to the top of the locket through which a chain would be threaded.
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, brooches and lockets held in the collection.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01028

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Jewellery

Personal Effects

Souvenirs

Themes