This gorgeous pair of three coloured gold Aesthetic earrings just arrived with registration marks for 1867 and it got us thinking about the history of the diamond/registration mark and we wanted to share this with you.

The British Patent Office during the period 1842-1883 issued a diamond mark along with the registration number every time a design was registered. As well as showing that the design had been registered, diamond marks offered buyers reassurance of knowing an item was of British design and the designer a degree of protection from copies being produced. 

If you refer to the image on the right showing the individual sections of a full diamond registration mark. The mark was created to identify the type of material used (known as the class), how many items were included (known as bundle or package) and the date of registration (numbers and letters used to work out the date). Note the registration number does not form part of the mark. The centre is occupied by the abbreviation Rd signifying that this is a Patent Office mark standing for Registered Design.

After 1884 the diamond mark was not produced instead it changed to a string of consecutive numbers to date the registered designs, e.g. the year 1885 would appear as '19756'. Although these marks can be complicated whether they were printed, engraved or otherwise marked on any object from jewellery, pottery, bronze etc, it gives us an interesting insight into the age and makers from this period.

We have a few pieces with varying registration marks and would love to show them to you. Come and visit us in store and check them out.

One of our most recent acquisitions to the shop is this large heavy quality Japanese antique treasure boat "Takarabune" cast completely in solid bronze with incredible detail, c.1890.

The large sail turns to and fro and the life-like rudder on the back also moves. The large sail is decorated with images of Japan's infamous Seven Lucky Gods or Seven Gods of Fortune. During the first three days of the New Year the Seven Lucky Gods are said to pilot through the heavens to human ports as the Takarabune or Treasure Ship. As it sails into town bringing good fortune, the takarabune is celebrated in a New Year's tradition in Japan, especially by hopeful businesses.

It is superbly modeled with realistic details such as the waves and clouds motifs on the exterior with the lion and dragon among other animals along the sides. The ship is loaded full of treasures!

This interesting sculpture is destined for the finest collection or display. Come and visit us in store and have a look at this bronze masterpiece.

As you all know we love finding pieces with a story and this is one, we just couldn't wait to share. The photo on my right is of an Indian sterling silver frame by Hamilton & Co., c.1945-50, however the interesting thing is, who the photograph is of. Introducing the Maharaja Harinder Singh Brar of Faridkot who ruled over the region between 1918-1947 across the time of both World Wars.

Now you may notice the two envelopes in the photo, these were signed cards sent to the original owner of this silver photo frame, Lieutenant General Sir Iven Gillard & Lady Mackay.

Lt Gen Mackay was a senior Australian army officer who served in both World Wars. He was originally a physics tutor teaching at the University of Sydney from 1910 until the First World War broke out and he joined the Australian Imperial Force shortly after. Due his tenure he served in the 4th Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli and then moved to the Western Front and later being promoted to Brigadier General in 1918 and led the 1st Infantry Brigade in numerous battles and in the attack on the Hindenburg Line. After the war Mackay continued his studies and became Headmaster at Cranbrook School, Sydney between 1933-1939 until the time of the Second World War broke out where he was now Major General and led the 6th Division in to the Western Desert Campaign, and later in the Battle of Greece where he was the only Australian general to face the Waffen-SS in battle. In 1942 he assumed command of the Second Army where he led the New Guinea fighting campaign. After his active duties had ended he was recognised and appointed as High Commissioner to India in November 1943 where he met the Raja of Faridkot. Mackay's papers and portraits are held in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

After doing some further research, the Raja of Faridkot passed in 1989 and as one of the remaining independent states of India his will has been highly contested in a 20 year legal battle which his two remaining daughters have just won their share of over 4 billion dollars!

Come in store and check the frame and signed letters to Lt Gen Mackay from the Raja of Faridkot. We look forward to seeing you soon and as we said we love a good story.

To continue, see the image on the left with a selection of our new silver and enamel pieces:
1. A pair of 1950s gilt metal and hand painted vitreous enamel cufflinks with the colour and insignia of the Royal Engineers (left);
2. A sterling silver and vitreous enamel Royal Australian Air Force sweetheart brooch, c.1940 (top left);
3. A hallmarked sterling silver napkin ring with vitreous enamel Birmingham 1930 (top mid);
4. A hallmarked sterling silver napkin ring with vitreous enamel Glasgow 1953 (top right);
​5. A hallmarked sterling silver vesta case with a vitreous enamel shield of St John's College Oxford University by Blanckenesee & Sons Birmingham 1902 (bottom right).