A bathroom set would have been a common item in most households in the 19th century and up the mid 20th century. Not many of the bathroom sets, however, would have been as fine and as attractive as this one as this one would have belonged to a family with some wealth. Bathroom sets went out of common use once houses were sewered or had septic tanks and toilets and bathrooms were constructed inside the main house building. This set is of interest as an example of a common household item in houses 100 years ago or more. It will be useful for display.This is a five-piece china bathroom/ toilet set. The five pieces that comprise the set have a white background with a floral pattern in sage green monochrome with roses, carnations, sweet pea and dianthus. In the pattern are also tendrils and foliage. The jug is an elongated oval shape with a decorated handle. The interior of the lip is chipped. The circular bowl has an indented ridge at the top with interior and exterior decoration. The bowl is partly discoloured and there is some crazing. The toothbrush holder has a vase-like shape with an indented rim with fluting on the top. The chamber pot is circular with a decorated handle and one crack. The soap holder is circular and has three parts – the circular decorated base, the inset piece with a fluted edge and one large and six small holes for draining, and the decorated lid which is also fluted around the edge. The markings at the base of each item have a crown symbol as well as the lettering. Staffordshire England Camelia’ social history, bathroom set, china bathroom set

No particular information is available on this item but as the matches were made at a Commonwealth Government factory they probably date from World War Two (1939-45). At this time many essential items that would be of particular use for the war effort were produced by Government factories to ensure a regular supply and to regulate the use within the community. This item has no known local provenance but is of some historical interest as an example of matches produced mid 20th century. Matches at that time were much more important as a lighting mechanism and a common household item. This is round cardboard box in two sections with a circular cardboard lid (slightly bent). The box has a striped black and cream pattern on it. The box has 21 waxed matches with blue or white tips.‘The Commonwealth Match Works, Melbourne, Waterproof’commonwealth match works, warrnambool

This tea caddy, an attractive item, was given to Margaret Fletcher (date of presentation unknown). A tea caddy in the 19th century was a valued object as tea was expensive and was bought in small quantities. The two side containers are for green and black tea and the middle one was for blending the tea mixtures. The caddy was lockable so that domestic workers etc could not have easy access to a valuable commodity. The local provenance of this object and the identity of Margaret Fletcher have not yet been established. She may be related to John Fletcher, the Warrnambool cordial maker or James Fletcher, the Warrnambool lawyer. This tea caddy is of great interest as an attractive artefact from the 19th century and as an example of a household item no longer in use. It is also of interest because it was given to Margaret Fletcher, possibly a local Warrnambool person. This is a polished wood container made in a casket style. The wood is believed to be Coramandel. The casket has curved sides and is on a base with four legs. The lid has a brass hinge and a gold lock with the key and the lock mechanism missing. Inside are three compartments, two with hinged lids with leather tops and zinc linings. The middle compartment has a glass container set in a wooden compartment. The inscription is on a brass plate inside the casket. ‘Presented to Margaret Fletcher as a Mark of Respect’. margaret fletcher, history of warrnambool

This is a high-quality item and would have been used in a household in affluent circumstances. The firm of James Dixon and Sons of Sheffield, England, was established in 1806 and ceased to operate in 1992. Candles were widely used for household lighting until the advent and availability of electric lighting from the 1920s onwards. This item has no known local provenance but is retained because it is fine example of a household item of the past.This is an electro-plated silver candlestick holder. The base is roughly circular (more hexagonal) with an embossed edge and a handle attached by welding. The candlestick holder is vase-shaped with a circular open top for inserting the candle. The circular top also has an embossed edge. Attached to the handle by a clip is a cone-shaped snuffer. The candle holder and snuffer have been used. On the bottom of the base are the name and symbol of the maker and five hallmarks. ‘Jas Dixon & Sons Sheffield’ ‘866 P W/B’ household lighting, history of warrnambool, silver candlestick, candlestick with snuffer

These boxes were commonly used to hold and carry cutlery between storage and the table. We have no information on Mr Godfrey. They are also sometimes referred to as knife boxes. A common item in many households in the 20th century.Wooden rectangular box with sloping sides and partition with hole in centre in the middle. Unpainted timber which is joined with nails on the corners and baseFrom J J Godfrey on bottom of box in blue texta.knife box, cutlery box, j godfrey

This candle holder would probably be mostly used for a candle placed on a table, cupboard or bench. It is unornamented and so would not occupy any place of importance. Candles and lamps were the chief source of light in households until the advent and use of electricity in the early 20th century. Gas lighting was in use in street lighting and in industry for some time before this. Electric lighting for households became available in Warrnambool in the 1920s but the use of lamps and candles was still prevalent until the middle of the 20th century. This candle holder is of some interest as an example of a household item from times past. It will be useful for display. This is a china candle holder. It has a white glaze and the base is circular in shape. The rim or lip is ridged around the edge. One side of the object is cracked. household lighting, history of warrnambool, candle holder

This is a porridge set which probably dates from the early years of the 20th century. Porridge bowls and cups were particularly popular in Scotland at that time and would have been used in households in Australia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. These items have no known local provenance but are of interest as an example of the household china that was in use 100 years ago and was still being used for many decades after that time. They are attractive items and will be useful for display. These two items are a large cup and saucer made of china and used for porridge. The cup has colour floral and leaf scroll decorations inside the top rim, a piece of verse extolling the farmer and surrounded by black and white patterns, including farming implements, on one side of the cup and coloured farming implements in circles with the same verses in larger circles with a colour wheat sheaf in the centre on the other side of the cup. The saucer, more in the shape of a soup bowl, has the same colour floral and leaf decorations around the rim and the same farming patterns and verses in the centre. The handle has a black and white floral decoration The maker’s mark and name are on the bottom of the cup and saucer. ‘In God is Our Trust’ ‘The Farmers Arms’ history of warrnambool, porridge bowls

This is a mantel clock used probably in the dining room or lounge room of a house. It would have been a common item in a household in the 20th century and was often an heirloom passed down from grandparents. This type of clock is an attractive item and is still regarded as highly desirable today.This clock has no known local significance but is retained as an attractive and historical item and serves as an example of a high quality household object of the past. This is a black wooden clock with a rectangular base with ornamental metal corner pieces and two ornamental gilt metal patterns. The clock has an overhanging rectangular top with two gilt handles on the side. Also on the sides of the lock are two green inset faux columns with two metal ornaments in between. The brass mechanism at the back of the clock has four wheels. The clock face has a glass front, black numbers and metal hands. There is a strip of brass around the outside of the face. There are two key holes on the face. 'Sessions'warrnambool, mantel clock

Used by the Higginson Family farmers of the Kiewa ValleyMetal with glass globe. Kerosene reservoir with screw lid. Crank globe lifter, wick knob.On the base: No. 420 Frowo, Made in Germany with a medallion of dog and a badge. Wick winder knob has a pattern. Kerosene screw lid has a pattern. Glass globe: Dietz, Fitzall, New York, USA.lantern, household item, light, eric higginson, kiewa valley farmers

This little bag of "whitener" additive for the washing of white clothes was manufactured in Hull in the United Kingdom mid and later 1900's. The Manufacturer, Ricketts, was one of the first manufacturers to employ women in equal proportions with males (a rarity before 1914). This product was used to improve the appearance of white fabrics. This ability to use a product that would "whiten" clothes chemically rather than the "hard boiling" of clothes was a time saver and a lot easier on the fabrics. This is a boon to rural families where time was of the essence (boiling took time). The blue coloring was introduced because the white colour perception is enhanced by the blue (fadeable and not permanent). The "washing machine industry" of the late 1900's emphasised "whitening" agents that were not so haphazard in producing blue stains, and allowed a "gentle" washing action. This item is very significant in detailing the early 1900's rural household domestic "chore" of washing white clothes to a "social" standard of cleanliness. White shirts were the mark cleanliness that those outside of the family judged the family unit by. The best clothes were worn to church on Sundays. Hard and mostly rural activities/work in the Kiewa Valley encompassing farming, crop cultivation, cattle/sheep and "field work" to do with the SEC Vic Hydro Scheme involved provided a stain prone environment. As appearances, of clothing, was on the whole not significant it was a different scenario at social and religious scenes. The ability to attain "brilliant" white shirts, dresses and bonnets by a less drastic method to that of "boiling" of clothes in vats, was a boon of that "era". The anti establishment revolt came later in the 1950's onward took longer to migrate from the cities and larger rural townships to eventually sneak into the Kiewa valley.This "blue bag" is a whitening agent wrapped in flannel or muslin, or sold ready bagged (1 ounce).It was used in the final rinse to "whiten white coloured clothes" The string was used to facilitate finger grip onto the "bag" after the wash had finished for easy removal to stop the hand and other surfaces from being stained by the blue colour residue drips.domestic and commercial laundries, starch and whitening additive, washing brightener

The harsh summer temperatures and the isolated rural environment(of the 1890's) provided the inventor of the "Coolgardie safe" (Arthur Patrick McCormick) with an idea to cool perishable foods by using water soaked "hessian" cloth to provide the "coolant" for the evaporation process to cool the inside temperature of the "safe". Items such as meat,cream/milk/butter and cool "drinks" are a few perishables that need cool environments , especially in isolated "ice free" locations. Cities during this time period had large "ice works" which delivered block ice to all areas that required a form of refrigeration. These ice blocks where held in early refrigerators to keep perishables cool to cold. This "Coolardie" safe was the next best thing for isolated rural households and travellers/campers/stockmen to provide a cooler environment for foodstuff affected by heat. Ice filled "esky" coolers and ice boxes are a modern day off shoot to the original Coogardie safe however they still rely on ice or frozen coolant bricks for cooling.This "Coogardie" safe is very significant to the Kiewa Valley and the Bogong High Plains because it represents not only the initiative thinking of the early settlers and communities but also the "primitive" solution to an everyday (1800s to 1930s) problem (before gas and electric run refrigerators) of keeping "perishables" at a low temperature and thereby prolonging their "shelf" life. This was before electricity and gas was available to the inhabitants of the Kiewa Valley and Bogong High Plains. Another cooling method for food was to have "water tight" containers dipped into the very cold streams running from the "cooler" alpine mountains and the Bogong High Plains. This however could not be carried out in all situations eg. fast flowing currents and locations away from streams. This "Coolgardie safe" is made from a medium grade steel enclosure and its appearance is of a perforated box with a wire handle and one side (long side) being a hinged "door" with a clasp securing "lock". There are air holes grouped into a small "boxed" pattern. Each "box" is divided by a crossed pattern, dividing the "holed" sections(4) into a diamond configuration of 49 small holes each. There are four sides (long) which have the perforations except for the base which does not. The base has an indentation with a loose "catch" tray to catch water spills. When in use the "box" is covered with a water "soaked" cloth. The wet cloth is used as "coolant" ie. fibers in the cloth hold the water droplets seep out evaporating the area and thereby (in mass) cooling the air inside the container.domestic refrigeration cabinets, coolgardie "safe", insect and vermin proof food containers, electric and gas free cold storage containers

This iron is typical of the electric irons used in the 1950s. It didn't have a thermostat like the irons that followed so care had to be taken not to leave it on too long. Women in their domestic role used irons.The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme commenced in the late 1940s when Mt Beauty township was created. Amongst the shops in the main street was an SEC shop which sold electrical items. "Creda" Electric Iron with plug-in cord. A metal steel base iron with a wooden handle and a thumb rest. The handle is bolted onto the iron with 2 large screws. The cord is coloured maroon except where it is repaired with black tape. The cord socket plugs in behind the handle of the iron. CREDA Cat. No 6; Man. No.; Volt 200; AMPS 2.7 iron, laundry, household, electric, pressing clothes, domestic

This iron was used when electricity became available. It was possibly used for smaller items that didn't require a lot of time. Residents of the Kiewa Valley used irons for pressing the family's clothes and linen - usually by the women as it was considered to be part of their domestic duties.A small electric iron, for heating only. "Hot Point" brand with a steel body and a black plastic (or could be Bakelite) upper body that is chromed. The electric cord is detachable and not with the iron.Hotpoint Cat No. 6266 G7 Watts 575 - Volts 240. Ps 7 Made in Australiairon, laundry, domestic, pressing clothes, household, electric

Fly killer liquid was used in manually operated sprays to kill insects in the home. This was used prior to aerosol cans being available.Common household item used before availability of aerosol cans.Insecticide. Brown straight sided glass bottle with tin screw lid. Base is rectangular in shape. Two thirds of the way up the sides taper to a round opening. The front and two sides are covered with a yellow paper label which is covered with mostly black writing. The title of the label is Rawleigh's Pyrethro Fly Killer Back of bottle at base - embossed: '2' Base - embossed: 5/F1837/Minsecticide; bottle; household item

These hair tongs were used to curl or wave hair. They have the name’ Marcel’ on them. In 1872 Francois Marcel Grateau invented a hairstyle called the ‘Marcel Wave’ where women’s hair styles had mostly deep waves rather than curls. The tongs that were held manually and heated and used at home to produce deep waves or curls become a commonplace item in a woman’s home in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1930s electric hair tongs were introduced but the non-electric ones continued to be used until the 1950s. These hair tongs belonged to a woman from England and would have been used in the 1930s or 40s. They are a good example of the type of household article used by women 70 or 80 years ago and will be useful for display.This is a scissors-like article with wooden handles and metal blades for waving or curling hair. One blade is heavily curved and the other is a solid round shape. The ends of the blades are tapered. The blades were heated over a stove and used manually to enclose part of a woman’s hair to produce waves or curls. The handles were originally polished black and are somewhat rubbed and the blades and other metal parts are a little rusty. ‘Marcel’ ‘12’ hair curling tongs, warrnambool

This is a book of 603 pages. It has a maroon-coloured cover with gold printing on the front and the spine. The pages contain printed text, black and white illustrations and advertisements.non-fictionTechnical Information on loom tuningloom tuning, warrnambool woollen mill

The book has back and front covers in brown leather which features heavily raised embossing . The raised sections contain Biblical and other religious images and intricate patterns. The spine has gold lettering. The front cover is slightly scuffed and is detached from the spine. It has been bound with string and paste. The pages, some of which are torn, contain text and black and white and colour plates. It is not only a Bible as it includes the history of other religions.non-fictionBible and History of religions family bible, family bible 1900, warrnambool

This container of 11 boxes of safety matches would have been a common item in a household during the first half of the 20th century and would have been used for the safe lighting of lamps, candles, room heating (fires), bath heaters, cigarettes, pipes etc. Safety matches came into use in the first half of the 19th century and the safety aspects have been improved after that time. Safety matches are still used today - for instance, when camping or in times of power failure. These matches are of interest as an example of household items in common use in the past. These are eleven boxes of safety matches (one box missing) wrapped in a buff-coloured paper cover with a label in red, blue and white colours with printing and an image of a dark-haired woman set against a white flame. Each box contains about 60 matches with a label similar to the one on the outside packaging. The matches are wooden with pink tips. The boxes have a rough surface on the side acting as a striking mechanism. The back of each box has a message containing some thoughts from thinkers and philosophers from the past.Ever-Brite Safety Matchesvintage lighting, safety matches, everbrite matches

This is a hurricane lamp, so called because the tall glass dome was designed to protect the flame from excessive draft. These lamps were common in households in the first half of the 20th century ( used for house lighting) and later used for camping and out door activities.This item is retained as an example of type of lighting used in pre electricity times.This is a metal lamp with a glass bowl contained within a metal frame with a handle. There is a mantle inside the bowl. On the metal frame and base are various mechanisms for controlling the flame and a place for filling the container at the bottom with kerosene. The metal is heavily rusted with splotches of paint.vintage lighting, hurricane lamps

Hip baths, such as this one, were used in past times in households for individuals to bathe. Generally the bath was placed in front of the fire in the kitchen and filled with hot water from the kitchen stove.This item is retained as an interesting memento of past household customs.This tin hip bath for an adult is in the shape of a cradle. The exterior is painted light brown. It has curved edges around the rim with two protruding curved pieces for the bather's hands to grip when getting out of it. The base is concave. It appears to be have been constructed in pieces. The bath is rusted and stained.hip bath, vintage domestic item, bathing practices in the past

Domestic ornamentsStored in archival tissue with other artifactsFive Victorian fairings -two suited, rotund men with a towel each, one of a pig with a cart, one with a vase and a turkey, one is a boy with a vase in the shape of a shoe. victorian fairings, vintage household ornaments, warrnambool, fairingsvictorian fairings, vintage household ornaments, warrnambool, fairings

This mug is possibly over a 100 years old and would have been used in a household for drinking purposes. The mending of the cup and its probable re-use shows the comparative austerity of the times or its sentimental and monetary value as today a broken item such as this would have been thrown away. This domestic item is of some social history significance as an example of a mug or cup used 100 years ago and mended to extend its use.This is a china mug with a round base and top. The base is cream-coloured and the mug has blue and white images on the handle and around the body of the mug and a border of the same images inside the top of the mug. The images include a stately building, reclining figures, a gondola, shrubbery and repeated patterns. The mug has been broken and mended with glue.vintage domestic item, warrnambool history, china mug, blue and white china mug

This salt cellar is typical of those used extensively in households in Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries at a time when salt was used on a liberal basis to flavour and preserve the food served. While a similar item may be used today in the main it has been superseded by smaller salt and pepper shakers.This item has no known local significance and is retained for display purposes. This is an oval-shaped clear glass container with a ridged incised base and lower sides. The upper side area has a pattern of dome-shaped pieces of glass. The container has an open top with no lid.vintage domestic items, glass salt cellars

This glass dish would have been used for holding sweets or savouries or small cakes or biscuits.This item, highly collectable Carnival -Ware, is kept for display purposes.This is a Dugan marigold Carnival- ware glass bowl. It is made of iridescent pressed glass.It has an pressed image of a horse's head in the centre surrounded by a patterned rim and fluted edges.vintage household item., glass dish, carnival ware

This salt cellar is typical of the ones used extensively for cooking or for table use at mealtime in households of the 19th and 20th centuries (popular up to about the 1970s). These were the times when salt was used more so than today in households to preserve and to add to the flavour of food. Today an item such as this may still be in a domestic kitchen cupboard but the salt would be used more sparingly.This item is retained as an example of a domestic item used extensively in the past.This is a clear glass salt cellar with a round moulded bowl with fluted edges. The bowl is on a glass stand, also with fluted edges.vintage domestic items, glass salt cellar

These two orange-coloured dishes are made of pressed glass to which an iridiscent surface shimmer has been added by the application of metallic salts. They are examples of Carnival Ware and the orange colour is known in the trade world as 'marigold'. Carnival Ware was first produced in 1908 as a relatively cheap version of decorative glassware in U.S.A. and this country was the main producer up to the 1940s, with the 1920s being the decade when it was most popular. Carnival Ware was also produced in other countries including Australia and the United Kingdom and is a collectable item today. These two dishes have no known local provenance and are retained as examples of vintage household items serving both a utilitarian and a decorative purpose..1 An oval shaped shallow glass dish with pressed patterns and handles at either end. The item is orange-coloured. .2 as abovecarnival ware, orange glass dishes, vintage decorative items

This item is an example of Carnival Ware glass. Carnival Ware is pressed glass to which an iridescent surface shimmer has been applied using metallic salts. The trade name of the colour is 'Marigold'. Carnival Ware was first produced in U.S.A in 1908 and production in both U.S. A. and other countries continued until the 1940s, with the 1920s being the decade when it was most popular. It was a cheaper version of a decorative item for the household as well as having a utilitarian purpose and is a collectable glass today.This vase has no known local significance but is retained as an example of an item likely to be found in many local households of the 20th century.This is an orange-coloured pressed glass vase. It is on a stand of three legs and has a fluted patterned top rim. The body of the vase has raised decorations of butterflies and berries.carnival ware, vintage glass ware, carnival ware glass vase

This miniature cash tin was produced by Fry's Chocolate Company of England as a promotional giveaway and probably held some chocolate samples. It would then have been used in a household for keeping trinkets or other small items. The Fry's Chocolate Company was established in Bristol, England in the mid 18th century by Joseph Fry and in the mid 19th century it produced the first mass-produced chocolate bar (1866 - Chocolate Cream, 1913 Turkish Delight). The company merged with the Cadbury company in 1919 and the Tasmanian Cadbury factory which opened in 1921 was known as Cadbury-Fry-Pascall. Fry's chocolate bars were very popular in Australia. This item is retained as a memento of Fry's Chocolate Company, the products of which featured in Australian life for many decades. This is a rectangular metal tin painted black and light brown. It has a hinged lid and a metal handle held with clips inserted into slits on the top of the lid. There is printing on the lid and a label on the base.Cash Fry's Chocolatechocolate bars, fry's chocolate, miniature cash tin

This lamp base would have had a glass chimney clipped to the burner. It is a portable kerosene lamp used in the 19th century and the early 20th century for household lighting before the advent of electricity.This item is retained for display purposes as an example of household lighting a hundred years ago.This is a clear glass lamp base with a metal burner attached to the top. The bottom of the base is hollow. The glass on the stem and bulb is patterned. A BLIXTENvintage household lighting, kerosene lamps