Transcription

294
NEW   SOUTH   WALES.
 

THE  HARGRAVES  TESTIMONIAL.
 

GOLD CUP SUBSCRIBED FOR  BY THE COLONISTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES AS A TESTIMONIAL TO MR E.H. HARGRAVES IN COMMEMORATION OF HIS DISCOVERY OF THE
GOLD FIELDS IN AUSTRALIA
IN FEBRUARY 1851.

 

This Cup which is made from pure unalloyed gold, stands fifteen inches high, and weighs about eighty ounces. Consuming in its manufacture one hundred ounces.
The cover is surmounted by figures of Mr Hargraves and his horse, cast in solid gold. The former is supposed to have just dismounted and to be acknowledging the cheers of the early diggers at Ophir.
A richly chased wreath of vine leaves borders the edge of the cover.
On one side of the Cup are the arms of New South Wales in rich alto relieve; [relief] and on the reverse also in relief, a shield bearing the presentation inscription, supported on either side by a gold digger, bearing the mining implements of his seductive occupation; the motto "Eureka" being inscribed above, whilst blow appears the motto "PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT". Bunches of grapes, emblematical of another of Australia's valuable products, are clustered round the sides between the two relieves -
The goblet is supported on a ball and column of exquisite and elaborate workmanship, being formed of foliated matter and pierced scroll work,
rising from a circle which rests on alternate globe and fleuron feet -
To this work, art, by the thoughts which it has so successfully wrought out, has given a more real and permanent value that mere materials and to the designer, the artist, and the ornamentalist, the warmest praise is due.
The case in which this tribute and first Australian Gold Cup is enclosed is of tortoise shell, having a gold shield in the front, with the initials of Mr Hargraves. It is a very elegant piece of workmanship & reflects much credit upon the maker.

30th AUGUST 1851

INTELLIGENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD DISCOVERY REACHES ENGLAND
 

On the 12th December intelligence reached the Colony that the gold news had arrived in England via India, on the 30th August; the first imformation of the event was contained in the Times article of the second of September -

 

 

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