Colour Photograph of Michael Saddler and Ian Smith East Gippsland Shire Victoriamuincipal history

Pittock saddler's box: small cabinet door handle with keyholemetal construction painted whitenil

Pittock saddler's box: old rusted secateurs mertal construction, highly rusted, no catchnil

The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome, allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This show harness was used by Mr. Andy Bourke when showing his Clydesdales at shows or demonstrations. Although a more modern example with decorative embellishments, it still has many essential components traditionally found in an everyday working horse harness. The original purpose of the "housen" for example, was to run rain or drizzle off the horse's neck when they had to work in wet conditions - it was laid flat for this purpose on the top of the collar. Nowadays it is purely for show and is often used to advertise a business or stud. Horse brasses and fly terrets were fastened to various parts of a horse's harness. In the early days they probably began as amulets to ward off evil and to bring good luck and continued to be used as a festive decoration. The heyday of horse brasses was between the years 1851 and 1900. Horse brasses are fastened to various parts of the harness with many of their designs being symbolic. The ornamentation on this harness (although not authentic horse brasses) are based on the horse brasses that were popular in the 19th century. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever heavy horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with stage coaches, drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used when showing a Clydesdale (or other breed of heavy horse). It is made up of a number of components. 1. Decorative leather cart saddle with two large cloth pads underneath (which have a scalloped leather and stud border), a raised leather pommel and a silver and red coloured metal back strap holder across the top. It has two symmetrical sets of ornamentation (silver hearts and circles) in the front and a wide strap or girth (with a maker's stamp reading "R. Mitchell Saddler") and buckle which attaches the saddle to the horse. 2. Pair of steel hames which are gently curved (to fit on a horse collar) and are topped with steel knobs. They have several steel rings and lugs (to hold straps and chains) and a "Made in England Warranted Steel" stamp. 3. Breeching harness which consists of a number of leather straps, chains and metal rings including a wide padded leather strap with a scalloped edge that sits on the back of the horse and a thick leather strap that goes around the hind quarters of a horse which is joined to the back strap with four shorter vertical straps and buckles. These straps feature silver and red patent leather trim and silver heart shaped ornamentation. The strap also features the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell". 4. Decorative leather bridle with blinkers featuring the same silver and red patent leather trim on the cheek piece, brow band and throatlatch. It has a stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a curb chain, a variety of decorative silver ornaments (rosettes, diamonds plus a heart and two circles) on each end of the forehead band, dropper and strap as well as a silver metal bell (sometimes known as a "fly terret" or "swinger") that sits on the headpiece of the bridle. 5. Leather "violin shaped" dropper (or hanger) with two silver rosette shaped ornaments and a stainless steel clip on the top 6. Stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a straight mouthpiece which is ribbed on one side. It has three rein spots (spaces) and a curb chain. 7. Leather arch shaped "Housen" covered in black and red patent leather and decorated with silver studs (some spelling out F H) and bordered with a red fringe. It has a leather strap at the back and two leather loops on the front. 8. Leather padded backband (Australian style "Stallion Draught Roller") decorated with two groups of nine metal "horse brasses" or harness ornaments displaying horseshoe, starburst and horse head designs on blue, red and white striped webbing. The backband has three notched straps at each end, a buckle near the centre and the initial B stamped in two places underneath. 9. Bellyband made of leather and red, white and blue striped webbing. It has a set of three buckles at each end (which correspond with the notched straps of the backband). 10. Wide, thick leather strap which has a buckle and notches at each end. It also has the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell Saddler". 11.One pair of long leather traces - each with a buckle and notched loop at one end, decorated with a small silver diamond shaped harness ornament. 12. Length of stainless steel heavy duty chain with two swivel connectors.Saddle - "R.MITCHELL / SADDLER" Hames - "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / STEEL" "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / unclear" Breeching Straps - "R. MITCHELL / MAKER / R. MITCHELL MAKER" Housen - "F H" Backband "B / B' Wide leather strap - "R. MITCHELL / SADDLER"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, harness, horse harness, show harness, clydesdale horses, andy bourke, horse drawn cart, housen, bridle, hames, breeching straps, dropper, bit, liverpool bit, backband, harness ornamentation, bellyband, back saddle, fly terret

Pittock saddler's box: set square handwood and brass vertical, with steeel horizontal (showing rust)nil

Pittock saddler's box: large unusual metal wrench Rusted but operable Unusal construction No maker's marksnil

Thomas Heath built this shop for his saddlery business around 1875. In 1926 after 58 years operating his saddlery in Bacchus Marsh he retired and the assets of his business were sold in a clearing sale. The building was located close to the current day location of 192 Main Street and has been demolished. Apart from his services in saddlery his premises was known to be a gathering place for much discussion. Heath was known to openly express his political opinions and his saddlery premises was known by many in the community as the 'Parliament'.Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. The photo is of a double-fronted weatherboard building with a shingle roof. The front gabled section stands directly on street level and is flanked by a picket fence. The door and overhead window and the side window with arched panels may indicate that this was the shop section, with a dwelling to the rear. The recessed side section of the building with a twelve-sectioned window, chimney and a back extension was probably the dwelling used by the family. In the doorway stands the saddler, probably Thomas Heath. To his left is a woman, possibly Mrs Heath, and a much younger woman, possibly a daughter of the Heaths. In front of the two women is a small dog. A hitching rail runs along the front of the workshop. Indicating the type of business Mr Heath ran. On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. saddleries, saddlers, thomas heath 1842-1930 saddler, heath family bacchus marsh, stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district

Pittock saddler's bix: small metal wrench Poor ccondition, does not move 160mm x 57mm x 20mmnil

Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an early 20th century business and is a useful research tool.A large white paper account with black print and red lines from Feely & Co., saddlers and harness makers for R. Cameron.feely-&-co. cameron-robert-pullar

Metal Tools & Tool Box - Mr Anthony Bone (Saddler Main Street) Ref STN P33 27-9-2013stawell

Black and white photo mounted on card. Saddlery shop, two men on footpath outside. 'W.VIVIAN SADDLER', printed below windows.Back: 'Grandfather Vivian Ballarat (Doveton St.)' - handwritten, blue biro

Pittock saddler's box: small grease gun metal grease gun, operable maker's mark: symbol only - circle with an arrow and an "I"symbol only - circle with an arrow and an "I"

Steel masonry bolster, Maker's name "Cyclone" rusted steel blade, and deteriorating rubber handle. Stored in Pittock Saddler's Box 13000.01Cyclone

Pittock saddler's box: small pipe cutting tool Maker's mark : No 10 RIDCID USA, patent no. 287133 metal construction, operaable, fair conditionNo 10 RIDCID USA

Johnson Newsagency, Hogan Street, c1930s. Mrs Johnson and Jean Davies (nee Hill) in photo. The shop was opposite the Criterion Hotel, next to Saddler's Store.tatura, buildings, historic

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Two chimney brick home with wrap around ornate verandah and verandah railing fence. Believed to be Isaac Cooks home. stawell businesses, shop

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Front view of two chimney brick home with wrap around ornate verandah and verandah railing fence. Believed to be Isaac Cooks home. stawell businesses, shop

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Two chimney brick home on corner with wrap around ornate verandah and verandah railing fence. Believed to be Isaac Cooks home. Wooden railing fence stawell businesses, shop

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Seated bearded man in suit in front of greenery stawell businesses, shop

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Studio portrait of bearded man aged in his thirties in suit with flowers in lapel. Hair parted in center. stawell businesses, shop

W. Denney Saddler and Harness MakerBlack & white photograph of male standing on footpath outside shop with two arched windows either side of shop door62.02.003shop, commercial, w.denny, saddler, harness, sackville street

W. Denney Saddler and Harness MakerBlack & white photograph of Morris Denny outside his shop in Sackville Street62.02.003 Morris Denny Father- port Fairy Gazette officeshop, commercial, w.denny, saddler, harness, sackville street, morris denny

Portrait - Isaac Cook (Saddler) in Lodge Apronstawell

Wife of Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Studio portrait of lady in dark clothing