Augustus John Kosvitz b. 1831

Also known as John Augustus Kosvitz, August Kosvitz
  • Artist ,
  • Artist (Glass & metal Artist / Designer),
  • Maker (Jewellery Designer)
Queensland-based watchmaker, jeweller and metalsmith who produced presentation pieces and jewellery in gold and silver. A former employee of Hogarth, Erichsen & Co., Kosvitz introduced a variety of colonial jewellery styles to Queensland through his retail operations and commissions.
Tags: Queensland, Jeweller, Silversmith
creator of
Trowel, Square, and Plumb
Date

Cased set of instruments for the laying of the foundation stone of the Brisbane Bridge. Silver.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewels
Date

Set of Masonic Jewels for the Victoria Lodge.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewels
Date

Set of 16 Jewels for the Lodge of St John, Fortitude Valley. Silver.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewel
Date

Presented to Mr William Murray, Master of the North Australian Lodge, from members of the St. Andrew’s Lodge in recognition of his assistance in the formation of that lodge. Silver-gilt, incorporating five points of Fellowship and the emblems of the past Master on blue enamel ground.

 
creator of
Presentation Spade
Date

Sterling silver spade for use at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ipswich-Brisbane rail line, first railway in Queensland. Used by Lady Diamantina Bowen, together with a silver-mounted wheelbarrow, imported from Sydney. Inscription on spade engraved by Thomas Ham. Emblematic devices were employed on the spade.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewels
Date

Set of 22 Masonic Jewels.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewel
Date

Presented to Mr. A.J.B. Jenner, Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Queensland, by the Masons. Gold.

 
creator of
Spurs and Whip Mounting
Date

Commissioned by the North Australian Jockey Club for presentation to W.H. Yaldwyn, President. Fashioned from 22 carat gold, said to be sourced from Peak Downs. 7oz total weight. Whip Mount incorporated a kangaroo and the Yaldwyn Family arms; the Spurs depicted a recumbent possum on each rowel.

 
creator of
Mount for Cricket Bat
Date

Silver mount for Cricket Bat, presentation award after the Intercolonial Cricket Match between Queensland and New South Wales, Green Hills, Brisbane. Inscribed “Presented to Mr D. Jacobs for efficiency in long-stopping”. Presented Monday 4 July 1864.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewel
Date

Commissioned for Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, Grand Lodge of Queensland. Silver-gilt.

 
creator of
Medal
Date

Queensland Horticultural Society medal, for the Horticultural Society’s 1864 exhibition in Brisbane. Wheat sheaf surrounded by wreath, inscribed “Presented by the proprietor of the Weekly Herald, Jan 14th 1864”

 
creator of
Drum Major's Staff
Date

Commissioned for the Queensland volunteer regiment band. Staff made by Andrew Petrie from local timber, Silver decoration incorporating kangaroo and emu surrounding a crest. Kosvitz valued the piece at 20 pounds.

 
creator of
Masonic Jewels
Date

Two medals commissioned for the Stewards of the North Australian Masonic Lodge. Cornucopia design surrounded by frosted metal.

 
creator of
Medal
Date

Relief-worked medal for Volunteer Rifle Prize, 1 Jan 1862. The design bore a wreath on the obverse and an Australian coat-of-arms flanked by two rifles on the reverse. Silver.