Colour enlargement of a photograph (slide) of Southesk (formerly Ordsall) in Cotham Road, Kew (demolished 1970).The ceilings of and architraves of Ordsall were painted by artists employed by the decorating company, Cullis Hill & Co. The frescos, of which fragments survive, were some of the most important murals used as elements of interior decoration in Melbourne during the Boom Period of the 1880s. These photographs were taken immediately prior to the demolition of the house, and are the best examples of the murals.The most significant decorative aspects of Southesk (formerly ‘Ordsall’) were the murals in the front two rooms. An article in the Melbourne Argus in 1882 records that Mr Vandenbrandt and Signor Rizzi created these under the supervision of Cullis Hill. This fresco from the ceiling of the ballroom is believed to depict two of the Seasons. Signor Rizzi was a renowned painter of flowers. He is credited with painting these parts of the murals. Examples of his floral paintings can still be seen at Villa Alba in Walmer Street.david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), ordsall - cotham road - kew (vic)

Colour enlargement of a photograph (slide) of Southesk (formerly Ordsall) in Cotham Road, Kew (demolished 1970).The ceilings of and architraves of Ordsall were painted by artists employed by the decorating company, Cullis Hill & Co. The frescos, of which fragments survive, were some of the most important murals used as elements of interior decoration in Melbourne during the Boom Period of the 1880s. These photographs were taken immediately prior to the demolition of the house, and are the best examples of the murals.The most significant decorative aspects of Southesk (formerly ‘Ordsall’) were the murals in the front two rooms. An article in the Melbourne Argus in 1882 records that Mr Vandenbrandt and Signor Rizzi created these under the supervision of Cullis Hill. This fresco from the ceiling of the ballroom is believed to depict one of the ‘boldly drawn four great geographical divisions of the Earth’. The crowned woman, believed to represent Europe, stands aloft in a chariot drawn by cherubs holding garlands of flowers.david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), ordsall - cotham road - kew (vic)

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.This is the earliest known photograph of Ordsall / South Esk, a significant mansion in Kew, built for John Halfey and now demolishedMembers of the Kew Congregational Church in front of one of the verandas of Southesk, circa 1900.congregational church - kew (vic), south esk - south esk - ordsall - kew (vic)

'Ordsall', renamed 'Southesk' in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.Rare, and possible unique fragment of a plaster cornice from one of the most architecturally distinctive houses in Kew, demolished 1970.Section of plaster cornice removed from Southesk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew, when it was demolished in 1970 by the City of Kew. The cornice has a narrow layer of previously coloured plaster which is now overlaid with a grey distemper. The foundation of the cornice is moulded cement. Remnant flowers moulded in the central band of the cornice include a rose and a sunflower. The plaster decoration was probably located in the entrance hall, dining room or ballroom, all of which were created in the 1870s by Michael Hennessy and decorated by the firm of art decorators, Cullis Hill & Co in 1882.Nilordsall, south esk, cullis hill, plasterwork, cornices, victorian interiors

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.The interiors of the two main reception rooms at Ordsall included some of the most outstanding domestic frescos painted in Australia in the late Victorian period. These frescos were executed by artists hired by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co. While a number of photographs were taken of the interiors prior to the house's demolition in 1970, this small fragment of the fresco is one of only three extant. The fresco allows conservators to examine and evaluate fresco techniques of the period.One of only two fragments of the painted domed ceiling of the ballroom of Ordsall (later renamed Southesk) which once stood at the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew. This triangular piece of the fresco is of a cherub's face.Label: 'This is from the "Southesk" ballroom 14-7-70'ordsall, southesk, cullis hill & co.

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.The interiors of the two main reception rooms at Ordsall included some of the most outstanding domestic frescos painted in Australia in the late Victorian period. These frescos were executed by artists hired by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co. While a number of photographs were taken of the interiors prior to the house's demolition in 1970, this small fragment of the fresco is one of only three extant. The fresco allows conservators to examine and evaluate fresco techniques of the period.One of only two fragments of the painted domed ceiling of the ballroom of Ordsall (later renamed Southesk) which once stood at the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew. This roughly square piece of the plasterwork shows a woman's head. Given the size of the face, it is believed that this section of the fresco represents one of the four 'geographic depictions of the earth including the seasons, night and morning'.Label: 'This is from the Southesk Ballroom 14-7-70'cullis hill & co., fresco, ordsall, southesk

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.The interiors of the two main reception rooms at Ordsall included some of the most outstanding domestic frescos painted in Australia in the late Victorian period. These frescos were executed by artists hired by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co. While a number of photographs were taken of the interiors prior to the house's demolition in 1970, this small fragment of the fresco is one of only three extant. The fresco allows conservators to examine and evaluate fresco techniques of the period.A fragment of the painted domed ceiling of the drawingroom of Ordsall (later renamed Southesk) which once stood at the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew. This rectangular fragment of painted plaster is a small section of the rectangular frieze of neo-gothic scenes that were a feature of the drawingroom ceiling. The fragment differs from those remaining from the ballroom in that it includes a section of gold leaf.Label: 'This is from "Southesk" drawing room'ordsall, southesk, cullis hill & co., halfey, john

Colour enlargement of a photograph (slide) of Southesk (formerly Ordsall) in Cotham Road, Kew (demolished 1970).The ceilings of and architraves of Ordsall were painted by artists employed by the decorating company, Cullis Hill & Co. The frescos, of which fragments survive, were some of the most important murals used as elements of interior decoration in Melbourne during the Boom Period of the 1880s. These photographs were taken immediately prior to the demolition of the house, and are the best examples of the murals.The most significant decorative aspects of Southesk (formerly ‘Ordsall’) were the murals in the front two rooms. An article in the Melbourne Argus in 1882 records that Mr Vandenbrandt and Signor Rizzi created these under the supervision of Cullis Hill. This fresco from the ceiling of the drawingroom was described by the reporter as ‘done in the quaint old 14th century style … The second panel represents a hawking party. The ladies hold aloft the natural perches for their falcons. The men, seated in picturesque variety of attitude, hold their cross-bows, and a boy is relieving a heron from an arrow which has pierced its bosom.’david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), ordsall - cotham road - kew (vic)

Colour enlargement of a photograph (slide) of Southesk (formerly Ordsall) in Cotham Road, Kew (demolished 1970).The ceilings of and architraves of Ordsall were painted by artists employed by the decorating company, Cullis Hill & Co. The frescos, of which fragments survive, were some of the most important murals used as elements of interior decoration in Melbourne during the Boom Period of the 1880s. These photographs were taken immediately prior to the demolition of the house, and are the best examples of the murals.Notwithstanding its grand Italianate façade, the most important aspect of Southesk (formerly ‘Ordsall’) were the murals in the front two rooms. An article in the Melbourne Argus in 1882 records that Mr Vandenbrandt and Signor Rizzi created these under the supervision of Cullis Hill. This fresco from the ceiling of the ballroom depicts ‘Night, represented by a female figure in a diaphanous garment, skirted with flowers, wafted before the approaching dawn into space illuminated by the moonlight, and peopled by the fairies, is a striking picture. Flying with her are an attendant Cupid bearing an artificial light, and a tired little votary of Bacchus with a reversed wine-pitcher and goblet’.david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), ordsall - cotham road - kew (vic)

Colour enlargement of a photograph (slide) of Southesk (formerly Ordsall) in Cotham Road, Kew (demolished 1970).The ceilings of and architraves of Ordsall were painted by artists employed by the decorating company, Cullis Hill & Co. The frescos, of which fragments survive, were some of the most important murals used as elements of interior decoration in Melbourne during the Boom Period of the 1880s. These photographs were taken immediately prior to the demolition of the house, and are the best examples of the murals.The most significant decorative aspects of Southesk (formerly ‘Ordsall’) were the murals in the front two rooms. An article in the Melbourne Argus in 1882 records that Mr Vandenbrandt and Signor Rizzi created these under the supervision of Cullis Hill. This fresco from the ceiling of the drawingroom was described by the reporter as ‘done in the quaint old 14th century style’. This section depicts ‘out-door sports. The fishing-lines of the jester and the almoner have become entangled, and a large wolf-dog seems disposed to arbitrate in the difficulty, while a party of young men and maidens are angling, feeding swans, or training hawks for a future day’s sport.’david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), ordsall - cotham road - kew (vic)

Colour enlargement of a photograph (slide) of Southesk (formerly Ordsall) in Cotham Road, Kew (demolished 1970).The ceilings of and architraves of Ordsall were painted by artists employed by the decorating company, Cullis Hill & Co. The frescos, of which fragments survive, were some of the most important murals used as elements of interior decoration in Melbourne during the Boom Period of the 1880s. These photographs were taken immediately prior to the demolition of the house, and are the best examples of the murals.The most significant decorative aspects of Southesk (formerly ‘Ordsall’) were the murals in the front two rooms. An article in the Melbourne Argus in 1882 records that Mr Vandenbrandt and Signor Rizzi created these under the supervision of Cullis Hill. This fresco from the ceiling of the ballroom is believed to depict ‘Africa’. The article records that: ‘Notwithstanding the large size of the drawings they are often marked by delicate touches, and a minuteness of detail in evident sympathy with nature. The figures have grace, life and animation and the skillful shading of the colours used — chiefly amber, gold, light blue, green, light fawn and brown – is in harmony with the quiet tone of the general furnishing of the rooms.’david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), ordsall - cotham road - kew (vic)

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. Most rooms in this historically and aesthetically significant house have stone (typically marble) fireplaces that are inset with plain and decorative tiles produced by the company of Mintons Ltd.Born digital photograph of the fireplace in the third bedroom of Villa Alba. The original 1880s black stone mantel, obliquely positioned in the southwest corner of the room (one of two examples in the house) is painted with a central group of three white roses. These are surrounded by flowers and foliage of jasmine that extend along the upper panel and down the sides of the mantel. It is believed that the addition of the painted flowers was completed by a freelance artist working for the Paterson Brothers; probably Ulysses Rizzi. The mantel is inset with two-tone surround tiles and decorative polychrome hearth tiles that incorporate a green ivy pattern which climbs up pieces of bamboo. Each tile is separated by a white and black border. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- third bedroom

The Villa Alba Restoration Fund was established by the Villa Alba Preservation Committee. As part of a fundraising activity, they commissioned Suzie Dickson to photograph six panels in the Upper Hall that had been uncovered to date by conservators. The dado panels extend along the entire upper hall. Many are still to be restored. These images were used to create a series of six large postcards. Jonquils - No. 1 in a series of postcards of the dado panels to the Upper Hall, Villa Alba Museum, Kew.villa alba museum - kew (vic), interior design - 19th century, paterson brothers - decorators - melbourne, signor rizzi - artist, villa alba preservation committee

The Villa Alba Restoration Fund was established by the Villa Alba Preservation Committee. As part of a fundraising activity, they commissioned Suzie Dickson to photograph six panels in the Upper Hall that had been uncovered to date by conservators. The dado panels extend along the entire upper hall. Many are still to be restored.Roses - No. 2 in a series of dado panels to the Upper Hall, Villa Alba Museum, Kew.villa alba museum - kew (vic), interior design - 19th century, paterson brothers - decorators - melbourne, signor rizzi - artist, villa alba preservation committee

The Villa Alba Restoration Fund was established by the Villa Alba Preservation Committee. As part of a fundraising activity, they commissioned Suzie Dickson to photograph six panels in the Upper Hall that had been uncovered to date by conservators. The dado panels extend along the entire upper hall. Many are still to be restored.Wildflowers - No. 3 in a series of dado panels to the Upper Hall, Villa Alba Museum, Kew.villa alba museum - kew (vic), interior design - 19th century, paterson brothers - decorators - melbourne, signor rizzi - artist, villa alba preservation committee

The Villa Alba Restoration Fund was established by the Villa Alba Preservation Committee. As part of a fundraising activity, they commissioned Suzie Dickson to photograph six panels in the Upper Hall that had been uncovered to date by conservators. The dado panels extend along the entire upper hall. Many are still to be restored.Daffodils - No. 4 in a series of dado panels to the Upper Hall, Villa Alba Museum, Kew.villa alba museum - kew (vic), interior design - 19th century, paterson brothers - decorators - melbourne, signor rizzi - artist, villa alba preservation committee

The Villa Alba Restoration Fund was established by the Villa Alba Preservation Committee. As part of a fundraising activity, they commissioned Suzie Dickson to photograph six panels in the Upper Hall that had been uncovered to date by conservators. The dado panels extend along the entire upper hall. Many are still to be restored.Lilies - No. 5 in a series of dado panels to the Upper Hall, Villa Alba Museum, Kew.villa alba museum - kew (vic), interior design - 19th century, paterson brothers - decorators - melbourne, signor rizzi - artist, villa alba preservation committee

The Villa Alba Restoration Fund was established by the Villa Alba Preservation Committee. As part of a fundraising activity, they commissioned Suzie Dickson to photograph six panels in the Upper Hall that had been uncovered to date by conservators. The dado panels extend along the entire upper hall. Many are still to be restored.Peonies - No. 6 in a series of dado panels to the Upper Hall, Villa Alba Museum, Kew.villa alba museum - kew (vic), interior design - 19th century, paterson brothers - decorators - melbourne, signor rizzi - artist, villa alba preservation committee