A piece of jewellery with strong ties to Alfred Buckland – the original owner of Highwic – has found its way home.
The item, a mourning bracelet – thought to have been worn by Buckland after the death of his first wife Eliza in 1866 – has been gifted to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga by his great-granddaughter, Jane Chapman.
“There’s very little in the collection directly linked to Alfred himself, so this is a rare and really special addition,” says Highwic’s Collections Manager, Belinda Maingay. “Family stories say it belonged to Alfred and that he wore it.”
Alfred Buckland was a prominent Auckland landowner, auctioneer and agriculturalist. Born in England, he arrived in New Zealand in 1850 and quickly established himself as a leading livestock auctioneer, opening Auckland’s first public wool sale in 1858. He built Highwic in 1862, where he lived with his two wives – Eliza, and later Matilda – and their 21 children. Buckland played a key role in Auckland’s commercial and civic life, and his legacy remains tied to the region’s farming and business development.
It is an interesting piece in many ways reflecting the ‘cult of mourning’ that developed with Queen Victoria following the death of her husband Albert
The bracelet likely dates from the 1860s to 1880s, aligning with Eliza’s death, though it could also fall around the time of Buckland’s second marriage to Matilda in 1867. Made of gold and set with a garnet surrounded by seed pearls, it also has a small compartment on the back, likely intended to hold a lock of hair – a sentimental feature common in Victorian mourning jewellery.
“It is an interesting piece in many ways reflecting the ‘cult of mourning’ that developed with Queen Victoria following the death of her husband Albert,” adds Belinda. “Victoria wore black for the rest of her life, and – given her extraordinary influence – different mourning customs evolved, particularly in countries like New Zealand that were part of the British Empire. These included specific items of mourning clothes, and even jewellery.”
Whatever its origins, the bracelet now sits back where it belongs – at Highwic, the home Buckland shared with his family of 21 children.
Jane Chapman reveals that the family is thrilled that it has returned.
“We’re delighted the bracelet is now at Highwic,” she says, “and being looked after by Heritage New Zealand.”
For more information about Highwic, head to:
visitheritage.co.nz/visit/auckland/highwic
