| Call Number |
BA1838/7 |
| Physical description |
1 lantern slide : glass, b&w ; 8 x 8 cm. |
| Series |
Australian pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley, London, 1924 ; BA1838/7
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| Notes |
Title devised by cataloguer. |
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Caption on slide mount: Fisheries stand. Between the two attendants is the case containing the 'Southern Cross' pearl. |
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Also held by the National Archives of Australia ref: A8120:14 PHOTO21 |
| Rights advisory |
For personal use only. To publish or display, contact the State Library of Western Australia. |
| Notes |
This image has been preserved and made available by the Historical Records Rescue Consortium Project supported by Lotterywest. |
| Summary |
The Southern Cross Pearl also known as the Great Southern Cross Pearl, is a natural cluster of nine pearls discovered in the pearl oyster species of the South Sea, Pinctada maxima, in Western Australia in 1874 or 1883. The unique feature of this cluster of natural pearls, was the remarkable arrangement of the pearls to form a Latin Cross of unbelievable and perfect proportions, which for the faithful was undoubtedly a divine miracle, but for the skeptic just another freak of nature. The cruciform cluster of pearls acquired the name Southern Cross or the Great Southern Cross, perhaps because it was discovered in Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere or because of its resemblance to another natural cross-like formation in the star-studded skies of the Southern Hemisphere, the constellation popularly known as the "Southern Cross," which is clearly visible in the skies of Australia. After the display of the Southern Cross Pearls at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 and later at the Paris Exhibition in 1889, where it won a gold medal, the next time the renowned pearl formation made its appearance was in 1924, when it was the star exhibit at the Great Wembley Exhibition held in London. In 1933, the Southern Cross Pearls was reported to be in the possession of C. P. Bennett, a London merchant. Since then the whereabouts of the pearls are not known, and in the year 1994, Philip Pendal, a West Australian Member of Parliament, was reported to have searched for it in England, probably with the intention of acquiring the renowned cross and taking it back home. A web article titled "Pearl : Queen of Gems" written by Vimukthi Fernando, and appearing on the website www.lankalibrary.com claims that the Southern Cross is now in the treasuries of the Vatican, but the source of this information is not given. (Internet Stones.com) |
| Subjects |
British Empire Exhibition (1924-1925 : Wembley, London, England) -- Photographs.
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Foreign trade promotion -- Australia -- Photographs.
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Foreign trade promotion -- Western Australia -- Photographs.
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Pavilions -- England -- Wembley -- Photographs.
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Exhibitions -- England -- Wembley -- Photographs.
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Food industry and trade -- Western Australia -- Photographs.
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Southern Cross Pearl -- Photographs.
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Pearls -- Western Australia -- Photographs.
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Security guards -- England -- Wembley -- Photographs.
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Online image.
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| Related names |
HRRC
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