The Autumn Fine Art sale at Duke’s of Dorchester on September 6-7 includes this late Victorian gold brooch in the Etruscan style. The front panel opens to reveal a plaque inscribed Presented to Mrs Yates as a memento of the 16 weeks lock out in 1893 Feb 6th 1894.
Elizabeth Yates (1845-1918) was appointed the Mayor of Onehunga in New Zealand in 1894, just two months after women gained the right to vote in New Zealand. This made her the first woman to be a mayor anywhere in the British Empire. Estimate £400-600.