In a special offering for collectors, history enthusiasts, and lovers of fine jewellery, Gerard McCabe will showcase more than 300 rare and exquisite antique pieces, including 80 that have never before graced public eyes.
The event, set to run from Friday 16 May through Sunday 18 May, is expected to be one of state’s most extensive display of historical jewels.
Among the collection are standout pieces spanning decades of design from Art Deco diamond drop earrings and a Victorian-era diamond and ruby ring (circa 1890) to a delicate pearl memorial brooch from the 1850s. For horology enthusiasts, a remarkable array of pocket watches will also be on display – and perhaps even available to take home.
We proudly have one of Australia’s finest antique jewellery collections and have so many beautiful pieces to share, each with their own story such as a stunning 18-carat gold mesh purse, and what better way than to showcase them during our state’s history month.
But the display offers more than glittering gems. Throughout May, the Arcade window will also host a rare and historically significant item: a 19th-century yellow-gold intaglio seal stamp once belonging to Captain Daniel Tapley (1815–1881), a figure central to South Australia’s maritime legacy.
Acquired by Gerard McCabe from a Tapley descendant, the seal is a masterwork of its era, set with white agate and featuring a lion motif engraved in reverse, alongside the initials “DT.” Its provenance is equally impressive – Daniel Tapley was a Master Mariner who sailed trade routes between India and China, commanded a British flotilla during the Second Anglo-Burmese War, and later played a vital role in the development of maritime safety in colonial South Australia.
The Tapley family name remains well known across the region. Daniel’s brother, Thomas Tapley, was a pioneering figure whose farm on what is now Tapley’s Hill Road helped shape early Adelaide’s transport routes.
The seal will remain on display throughout May, offering a tangible link to Adelaide’s past for curious passers-by and serious history aficionados alike.
And for those with heirlooms of their own, Gerard McCabe Jewellers will host an Antique Jewellery Roadshow on Friday 30 May – a chance to bring in personal treasures and uncover their stories, with insights from experts in the field.
Full event details and updates: gerardmccabe.com.au
