Metal sweetheart brooch featuring a Rising Sun badge on a wreath

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c. 1915 - 1945

Overview

World War One or Two era two tone metal sweetheart brooch. It features a gold coloured miniature Rising Sun badge engraved with the words 'Australian Commonwealt Military Force' impressed in the scrolls at the bottom.The engraving is not professionally done and a couple of the letters are missing due to lack of space. The badge is attached to a pressed silver tone metal laurel wreath.
It is possible that the Rising Sun badge is made from rose gold and the backing either silver or silver plate which has aged to grey.
The reverse has a pin clasp for attachment. 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. 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 miniature Rising Sun badges in the form of stick pins and brooches held in the collection.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01020

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Jewellery

Personal Effects

Souvenirs

Themes