Known Aboriginal gorgets - nma.gov.au

Known Aboriginal gorgets

The following list contains details about all references to Aboriginal gorgets, either in written sources or known to be or have been held in collections, which have been
discovered in the course of research for this book. Not included in the list are the gorgets held in the National Museum of Australia’s collection which are listed separately.

The inscription is given first and is followed (where known) by a date, location, brief description of the decoration, shape and metal, dimensions (exact or approximate
where known), and (in brackets) a reference to the source of the information. The source of information is often a museum collection in which the item is held. The list is
alphabetical according to the name (in bold type) of the person for whom the gorget was inscribed.

Inscription date location brief description shape and dimensions source of the identification
of decoration metal information 86131
blank plate, no inscription mid-19th Loddon River, crescentic brass Museum Victoria 88
King Abraham century Victoria brass Joyce 1949 TRG Lawrence &
Sons
Adam, King of Barcoodilla Australian Museum Auctioneers,
England
Alice Queen of Mannum possibly South crescentic brass, chain Museum Victoria X87565
Australia Australian Museum Alex Dickensen
Bagot, King of Coodoobluie in NSW emu and kangaroo Australian Museum E54300
Balderoy, Duke of Remembrance NSW Australian Museum E80460
Wallandroo of the 9th Dec drowning man
Presented to Baraban by 1867 Shoalhaven being saved by a Gunson 1974 vol. 1, 6
Shepherd Laidley district, NSW swimmer
1830-40s Haydon 1854 49
Barabahn or MacGil, Chief Lake Macquarie, brass Australian Museum H610
of the Tribe at Bartabah, on 1 NSW Australian Museum E54302
Lake Macquarie; a Reward emu and kangaroo Australian Museum E54314
for his assistance in reducing Melbourne, foliage
his Native Tongue to a Victoria
written Langauge – also Hawkesbury
Biraban district, NSW
Benbo, Chief of the NSW
Weirabee NSW
Bill, Wyoming, Brisbane
Water
Billy of Breeze
Billy Dolly, Chief of
Carriwong Creek

Billy Elingeit, King of the NSW Australian Museum Alan Amstensen
Barweegee Tribe AA Wood,
Billy Goat, King of Bumbarlo Australian Museum Sydney
E54315
Billy Griffith, King of 1866 NSW NSW coat of Australian Museum H774
Waradgery arms, shield R251(a)
Billy, King of Ena emu and kangaroo no chain Australian Museum A44871
Billy, King of Myrtle Creek McCarthy 1952
Billy, King of Nanima Wellington R swan L brass 175 (approx) Mitchell Library Casino and
Valley, NSW kangaroo dog x 115mm District Historical
Billy Natikillie, King of Thundapurthy, R kangaroo L emu crescentic, 295 x 183mm South Australian Society, Casino,
Thundapurthy Birdsville district, brass Museum NSW
Queensland E54307
King Billy, Wooroowoolgen 1898 Richmond River Australian Museum McCarthy 1952,
region, NSW 330

Bluey, King of Glenariff Cobar-Bourke lower anterior ‘F. crescentic Australian Museum (Captivating &
district, NSW Lassetter and Co. Curious)
Bob of Boulia 1930 Ltd. Sydney’, R crescentic, Noble Numismatics X47934
Queensland emu, brass, chain collection
Bobby King of Canargo probably NSW xanthorrhoea L crescentic, Museum Victoria 103
Yulgilbar, kangaroo, brass 209 x 118mm National Library of
Bobby Chief of the Yulgilbar Clarence River, xanthorrhoea crescentic, Australia: 66
Tribe NSW L kangaroo R emu brass Hooper 1990 A7767
NSW crescentic
Bobby, King of Grafton R kangaroo L emu Graham 1863 E80572
between Bathurst brass Powerhouse Museum
King Bogan 1840s and Baroo, NSW R emu,
xanthorroea L Australian Museum
Boongong Numitt, Chief of Queensland kangaroo,
the Purrier Tribe xanthorroea

L and $ laurel
branches, centre
kangaroo

Mr. Brodie, King
Kooramarow of Yattimbarilla

2

or Connors River Berry, south Australian Museum Berry Historical
Berry to Broughton for coast, NSW Australian Museum Society
digging a canal single Hooper 1990 H780
handedly a feat no white Whalan, north of Aboriginal man, crescentic 103
man could emulate Moree, NSW woman and child, crescentic
Bum-Balie, Chief of Whalan emu and kangaroo A7769
NSW R emu, brass R250(g)
Bunya Jimmey, King of the xanthorrhoea L 103
Hastings River kangaroo, ZDR 204
xanthorrhoea, X81483
Burrawambilly, Chief of centre spear Powerhouse Museum
Bowbow crossed with two E80573
A reward for merit to boomerangs and E75981
Charley of Tullungunnully club E54297
R kangaroo L emu
Bruce Penfold,
L & R laurel copper? 135 (approx) Mitchell Library NSW
leaves x 110mm Hooper 1990 Mr E Garrad,
(approx NSW

Charley, King of Birran R emu, flourish L crescentic
kangaroo, flourish brass
Charley, Chief of Merri 5th Feby 1848 R emu L kangaroo 145 x 148mm Mitchell Library
Tuna Wanjinata Brabrolung stamp on lower crescent Museum Victoria
Kraotun Kurnai Ngiu, King Snowy River, anterior reads brass, double
Charley of the Snowy River, Orbost, Victoria ‘Swanston St leather strap Australian Museum
Wanjanai Kangu Brabrolung Melbourne’ instead of Australian Museum
Djitta Wangu Blayta chain
Charlie, King of Yatton
Cobbor Bill, King of Queensland potted plants crescentic
Goldbum Goldbum, Burrill kangaroo square
Lake, Milton,
Cockabundy, Chief of NSW emu and kangaroo Australian Museum
Jerrickanora Jerricknorra,
Cockabundy, Chief of NSW
Tollwong Tollwong,
Shoalhaven River
Cockey, Chief of Wooleroo district, NSW Australian Museum
Hunter Valley, Australian Museum
Cramberlown Charlie NSW
Picton, NSW

3

Dan of the Wiljakali western NSW 2 kangaroos Noble Numismatics (Captivating &
NSW facing outward but collection Curious)
NSW looking inward
Davey, King of New England Casino, NSW emu and kangaroo crescentic 155 (approx) Australian Museum E65063
David, Prince of R Aboriginal man, brass x 125 mm Mitchell Library R251(c)
Alamongarindi star L kangaroo
Dawalla of Wagga Wagga L emu R kangaroo Noble Numismatics (Captivating &
collection Curious)
King Denny R emu L kangaroo crescentic Hooper 1990 103
Derry .S., King of Casino Australian Museum Richmond River
1885 Historical society,
NSW
Dubbo, King of Meilmam Meilmam, NSW R emu L kangaroo oval-heart, 244 x 138mm South Australian A65967
probably Victoria brass Museum
Duke Pollard of crescentic, Museum Victoria X80672
Curraburmah brass
Ellen 1st, Queen of Iluka Australian Museum W R Medway-
Bathurst, NSW Smith, NSW
Frederick King of Australian Museum E49461
Gouboulion, from Chas.
Lawson Western District, R emu, semi-oval, Museum Victoria X49214
King George, Colungulac Victoria xanthorrhoea brass Hooper 1990 103
Biamanga, L kangaroo, chain
King George, South Grafton, Wallaga and xanthorrhoea, Pam Fritzpatrik
Clarence River Bega district, crescentic centre [sic]
NSW anterior inscription coronet, 328
‘H.C. Jervis, crescentic
George, King of Waterview engraver, Sydney’ copper Australian Museum ZR 251(b)
R fish L ? A7765
Gooseberry, Queen of McCarthy 1952
Sydney to South Head no design Bruce Ussher
1952
Cora Gooseberry. Freeman c1800 100 (approx) Mitchell Library
Bungaree, Queen of Sydney x 80mm Powerhouse Museum
Harry Mulbah, Chief of
Berrallawah L and R laurel
branches, centre
kangaroo

Headman Mount Isa, Australian Museum
Prince Henry of Duchess Queensland McCarthy

4

Husky, 1853 King of the 1853 Brisbane, plaited Australian Museum E54303
Morton Bay Tribe Queensland woven
thread
Jack Kapeen, King of Richmond River attached Richmond River E54306
Wollongbar region, NSW Historical Society, NSW E54313,
Jackabone NSW emu and kangaroo Australian Museum
Jackey, King of Balgaraliung R emu L kangaroo crescentic Australian Museum 330
McCarthy 1952 E83852
Jacky, King of Illawarra 1860-80 emu and kangaroo crescentic E77633
King Jacky, Weriss Creek Aboriginal, man Australian Museum
south-west holding a spear Australian Museum
Tamworth, NSW flanked by
probably kangaroo and emu
Youendah, NSW
Jackey, King of Youwandah Queensland Australian Museum JH Myrtle
Jackey, King of Yowandah private collection
Barwon, NSW L emu R double line
Jacob, King of Bathurst Queensland kangaroo, below border, private collection
inscription man on brass,
Jacob Icely, Constable, 1863 horseback chasing crescentic Australian Museum E67345
Coombing running horses
central kangaroo, crescentic, 180 x 110mm Mitchell Library R250(a)
Jacky Cumbo, Texas 1848-49 laurel leaves L brass 6 (approx) x Mitchell Library R453
Presented by His Excellency and R 4 ¾ [inches]
Sir Charles Augustus Fitz Aboriginal man brass
Roy … Governor … NSW, to holding silver photo and info from
Jackey Jackey boomerangs Ysola Best
Jackey Jackey King of R emu L kangaroo
Logan and Pimpama – also in relief, swans for
John Logan and Aboriginal the horns central
name Bilinba (meaning ‘king dingo head
parrot’)
Jacky Jacky, constable, Logan River, crescentic,
King of Toolooby Queensland chain

anterior inscription copper? 153 (approx) Mitchell Library R250(b)
‘H.G. Irwin’; no crescentic, x 95mm X83038
design
Museum Victoria
King James of Baelpin, NSW

5

Patrick Plains brass 125 (approx) Mitchell Library R250(c)
James Piper, Thomas Piper, R kangaroo L emu brass x 145 Australian Museum E54304
constable 253
Jemmy Abigail, chief of the NSW Aboriginal man
Braidwood Tribe A7766
Jemmy Curraburma 1843 Yeo Yeo and brass Graham 1863 E54312
Mow Poke 103
Jemmy Rodd, Constable Creeks Central crescentic Powerhouse Museum
escarbuncle Australian Museum E54310
Jemmy Vincent, King of NSW Emu and Hooper 1990 E77655
Dogingorogaram kangaroo
Jenny, Queen of Broulee south coast NSW R Aboriginal man Australian Museum E54308
with spear L Australian Museum 329
Jerro, chief of Waverly Gurah later kangaroo E54309
Jerry, King of Gurah Werrina, Boomi foliage Australian Museum X86901
River, NSW kangaroo and emu McCarthy 1952
Wellington Mrs MM
Jerry, Overseer of Woolshed district, NSW emu and kangaroo crescentic Gudmore, South
Australia
King Jetto, Wallumbi Wollombi, NSW kangaroo and emu crescentic Australian Museum
Jimbalungie, King of Werai probably NSW lower anterior crescentic, Museum Victoria A14039
inscription ‘C.G. brass Australian Museum Canowindra
Jimey, King of Boondoon 1892 Island, north Roeszler 260 Lt. Historical
Queensland Collins St’ rectangular, South Australian
Jimmy Thompson, King, Bangaroo anterior inscription copper 245 x 95mm Museum
Laura Deighton Tribe Station, ‘Conn. Bros. to Australian Museum
King Joe by T. icely King Jimey of
Boondoon for his
long services and
good behaviour.
Watson, Ferguson
and Co.,
Engravers
Brisbane. Feb
17/92’
no design

1844

6

Canowindra Museum, NSW
district, NSW
Mrs J M Lowry,
Joe Bungaree – King of the 1886 Australian Museum NSW
Blacks E543111
Joe Timbrey, Chief of the Illawarra, NSW Australian Museum
Five Islands ZR250(d)
John, Chief of Burrooa, northwest NSW R emu, L brass 140 (approx.) Mitchell Library
Presented by J.J. Howell or central kangaroo x 110mm Australian Museum RC Williams,
King John, Navena Queensland florid along lower crescentic, c140mm NSW;
edge of plate brass wide Cook 1981
WR Medway-
King John of Wagala Australian Museum Smith, NSW
1839
John Piper, Conqueror of 1836 Bathurst, NSW given to Piper by Mitchell
the Interior Sydney, NSW Major Sir Thomas E54316
Mitchell, 1836 Australian Museum
Kitten, Chief of the Sydney Richmond River foliage and Museum Victoria X86130
Tribe region, NSW decorative design Australian Museum
Malcolm Chief of Kukuruk Richmond River
Mum crescentic, Historical
Margaret, Queen of brass Society, NSW
Gundurimba Milne Album p.15

King Merryman, Wallaga south coast NSW R emu, tree, L crescentic NMA Chiddick
Lake Illawarra, NSW kangaroo, crescentic Jamberoo; Kiama
xanthorrhoea Museum
Mickey Johnson, King; E54299
Illawarra Australian Museum
Mr E Garrad,
Moororar of Namutch NSW emu and kangaroo Australian Museum NSW
Moringally, Chief of Natty and Aboriginal A69211
man

Mushroonah, Aid de camp Tawangah, R emu, L crescentic, Australian Museum
to the King of Ta-wang-ah Goodooga, NSW kangaroo, centre brass
Aboriginal man 140 x 92mm South Australian
Presented to Queen Narjin Albany, Western with spear crescentic Museum
of the Nyungar, Albany, 11th Australia L kangaroo and
May 1880 11th May 1880 gum tree, R emu private collection
and xanthorrhoea,
scalloped border

7

decoration, on
anterior maker’s
mark ‘Tolke’

Neddy, King of Windorah Inverell district, crescentic Australian Museum E54298
NSW McCarthy 1952 330
E54305
Neil, King of Mount Harris, Coonamble emu and kangaroo crescentic Australian Museum ZR 250(f)
the gift of Robert Martin Junr district, NSW Richmond River
Nemmit, 1825, Chief of the 1825 Sutton Forest, no design bronze 145 (approx.) Mitchell Library Historical
Sutton Forest Tribe NSW x 130mm Society, NSW
New Chum Harry, King of Richmond River 81
the Mulgi region, NSW Australian Museum
unregistered
Oombejang-Watson, mid 19th Wellington R and L laurel crescentic, Robertson 1928 Richmond River
Wellington Valley, century Valley, NSW branches, centre bronze private collection Historical
Missionary Stockman escarbuncle Society, NSW
King Paddy, Buchan Victoria border design, on crescentic, Museum Victoria E54295
back impressed brass Australian Museum
marks ‘Lake, Vic’ Australian Museum RS/NK:1881
and maker’s mark crescentic, National Library of
a crown over ‘L’ brass Australia E78043

Peter Chief of Natal Downs Clermont, kangaroo, Australian Museum
Queensland xanthorrhoea, private collection
Peter Belmy, King of Yerally, Wyrallah emu, tree
Yerally, Gindenbar and and Gindenbar, anterior lower left
Gundirimbah Camp Creek ‘W. Tocknell engr’,
Robert, King of Tatala Tatala later lower right ’41
Angledool Swanston St.,
Mr. Ross, King of Kulkyne Station, NSW Melbourne’
and Mornpool
emu and kangaroo R kangaroo, 207 x 95mm
grass tufts,
bushes L
emu, trees,
grass tufts,
crescentic,
brass

Rowley – King of Tomki Tomki, Tomki L kangaroo with copper/bras
Creek, north gum tree, R emu s, crescentic
Presented to Queen Rungini 11th May 1881 Lismore, NSW with xanthorrhoea,
of the Nyungar, 11th May Albany, Western border decoration
1881, Albany Australia

8

of leaves and
berries; on back
maker’s stamp ‘S’
arrow mark and
reverse D, ‘WA,
81’

King Sandy, Moreton Bay 1890 Brisbane, crescentic painting by Oscar
Queensland Fristrom (1898)
Sandyman and Biddy, King Donaldson 1985
and Queen of Ashby Carr’s Plains Syntax was also crescentic, Australian Museum 95
Syntax King of Brabcut Western District, James Harrison, brass WR Medway-
Victoria Syntax Wettenhall crescentic, Museum Victoria Smith, NSW
Taffy, King of Thundapurty Birdsville district, R kangaroo L emu brass unregistered
Tallboy, King of Moorabie Queensland crescentic, 277 x 188mm South Australian A41782
posterior centre R florid design, brass 160 x 80mm Museum RS/NK:1880
Thommy Weavers, King of ‘J. Fitzsimys(?), kangaroo L florid National Library of
Curvy, Kangaroo Swamp 113 Pitt St, design, emu, crescentic, Australia 4.4.1885, p
Tinker, King of Teraiche Arts(?) Sydney lower Aboriginal brass X87564
stockman brass private collection
Toby King of Ravensbroome Bathurst district, pursuing mob of The Adelaide Observer unregistered
Toby, King of horses through crescentic, E77636
Wambangalang, Wellington Chowilla, landscape brass Museum Victoria X86129
Queensland Oxley Museum,
Tommy of Bungebar Queensland kangaroo, emu, crescentic, Wellington, NSW
Tommy, King of Carrs Creek boomerang and brass
Tommy Bunn-Berrah, King Wellington, NSW spear Museum Victoria
of Swan Reach Australian Museum
Grafton, NSW L kangaroo R Museum Victoria
Gippsland, emu, centre
Victoria Aboriginal man
with boomerang
and spear

also known as crescentic,
Tommy brass
Bumbench

9

King Tommy Grinnon, Chief Mungindi, NSW- R kangaroo, pine brass 155 x135mm Mitchell Library R250(e)
of the Muringo Tribe Queensland tree, L emu, pine
border tree crescentic, private collection X72553
Tommy, King of Tarngan L kangaroo, R brass 103
probably north- eum, centre Museum Victoria A7768
Tommy, Chief of Tartongor east Victoria Aboriginal man crescentic, private collection GL Wlsh
Bathurst with spear and brass Hooper 1990
King Wagor-Day, Black boomerang crescentic, (Captivating &
Rock, Bathhurst Doondi Station, brass Powerhouse Museum Curious)
Wild Duck, King of southern central crescentic South Australian 103
Windermere Queensland escarbuncle Museum
L & R laurel A37624
Master William, King of NSW branches, centre private collection University of New
Sugarloaf Armidale district, coronet Noble Numismatics England
Willie Murray, King of NSW on reverse ‘S.P. collection
Doondi Grenfell and Sons’ Hooper 1990
Encounter Bay, R Aboriginal grave
South Australia platform L Two 153 x 120mm South Australian
Native of New Aboriginal figures Museum
England in bush with Australian Museum
weapons

King Witti of Mudgee mid-19th
Wombail Oouthenang century

Womena Oothenang, Chief R Aboriginal man crescentic
of Silannon Vieele with spear and
boomerang L crescentic,
Youngerrow, Chief of the 1850s Aboriginal woman brass
Rormear Tribe with spear and
child
unknown L & R laurel
branch, centre
coronet,

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