Model for Schindler ring on display in Melbourne
A model used by Jewish workers to create a gold ring for Oskar Schindler is to go on display in Melbourne.
The ring model
The ring-making was portrayed in Steven Spielberg’s film “Schindler’s List” as having been made from gold sourced from prisoners’ teeth according to the JHC.
This unique piece of holocaust history will be on display at Melbourne’s Jewish Holocaust Centre.
Long thought lost, the model that was used at the end of the Second World War by a group of Oskar Schindler’s Jewish workers to make a gold ring for him has been found. It lay in the ring maker’s workshop in Melbourne for more than 50 years.
Oskar Schindler, the hero of Thomas Kenneally’s book, Schindler’s Ark and the Spielberg film, Schindler’s List was a German industrialist and member of the Nazi party who saved Jews by employing them in his factory and treating them humanely. About 1200 Jews were saved by him.
At the end of the war, one of Schindler’s workers, master jeweller Jozef Gross made a gold ring for Oskar Schindler. This act is famously depicted in Spielberg’s film, with gold for the ring sourced from prisoners’ teeth.
The ring itself was lost by Schindler shortly after the war, while the ring model came to Australia with Jozef Gross and lay in his workshop in Melbourne for 50 years.
Jozef was a very private person and he chose not to share his story with the world. He only told his family and a few others about his war experiences. Importantly, he gave an in-depth description of the process used to make the ring to his Australian business partner. The ring model was discovered by Jozef’s son, Louis in a box, along with other jewellery-making paraphernalia after Jozef passed away in 1997.
This significant historical artefact has now been donated to Melbourne’s Jewish Holocaust Centre. It will be on display from Tuesday 2nd May 2016.
What: Ring of Hope – the model used to make a signet ring for Oskar Schindler Where: Jewish Holocaust Centre
13-15 Selwyn St, Elsternwick
When: Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Friday 10.00am to 2.00pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm Further info: www.jhc.org.au or 9528 1985
