Fortuna Villa has undergone numerous additions and alterations over more than a century. The oldest part of the building dates back to the late 1860s, originally built by Balderstedt and later purchased by mining magnate George Lansell.Lansell expanded the house significantly during his ownership (1869–1905), with further changes after his death and army occupation from 1942 onward. Early photographs and plans were used to tentatively date various additions and alterations, such as verandahs, conservatories, and new blocks. The building's form evolved substantially between the 1870s and early 1900s, with major structural changes and new architectural features added over time. Detailed paint sampling was conducted in four rooms, with more general investigation in others. The complexity of the building and its many alterations made it difficult to precisely date all decorative schemes. Family papers may hold further information, but were not examined in this report. The report suggests that any future restoration or reconstruction should include more comprehensive research, especially into family archives, to better understand the original decorative treatments.Fortuna Villa - Department of Transport and Construction Reports July 1982 by Allom Lovell & Associates in Association with Prudance Sanderson, 15 Niagra Lane Melbourne 3000 and G B Loader Nov 1982 This Document Contains the following two Items: 11231.1a This document is an investigation report on the internal decorative treatments and paint schemes of Fortuna Villa in Bendigo, focusing on its historical development and restoration considerations. Introduction pages only of a large report and workbook which describes things such as plaster ornations, panelling etc. Mostly done with hand-written notes and sketches. 11231.1b Typical Page of the report describing a ceiling cornise. The Document consists of 163 pages typed with spaces for photographs (Black and White), sketches and plans; with space on pages where hand-written details and observations have been entered. It is stapled together with a rear gold cover. The binder is of the black fabric type which due to age has almost detached itself. It appears that this is a black and white copy of an original coloured copy. The legends to the plans were origionally coloured. 11231.1c This document (20 pages) provides the final recommendations for the internal colour scheme for the restoration of the heritage property "Fortuna Villa" in Bendigo, Australia. First two pages and the colour samples fold out page. The document outlines the recommended proprietary colours for the interior restoration of Fortuna Villa, a significant heritage property. A detailed list of recommended colours is included, featuring shades such as Bamboo, Beanstalk, Blazer Brown, Chatham Green, Cream, Deep Brunswick Green, Desert Sand, and others.Some finishes include clear polyurethane and varnish.A few colours are noted as having "NO SAMPLE" available. The document is held together by black fabric binding which is coming apart. bendigo, fortuna villa, history, army survey regiment

This small woollen suiting wagga was machine stitched, backed with orange cotton and edged with brown navy and white striped braid. It shows how important old and disused suiting fabric was for quilt making during World War Two. Part of the Running Stitch collection.Small woollen suitings wagga. It is machine stitched, backed with orange cotton and edged with brown navy and white striped braid. Two rows of orange braid and purple ric rac are stitched across the wagga.handicrafts quilting quilting - history, running stitch collection, running stitch group, handicrafts, quilting, quilting - history, world war two, wwii

Trophy ribbons won by the Wettenhall's Stanbury Stud. According to Mr Parsons, (19 Mar 2004) the quilt was almost certainly made by Mrs Janet Wettenhall. It was hung in her sun room.Quilt, composed of felt ribbons stitched together and lined with beige woollen fabric. Most of the ribbons are royal blue, there are two purple ribbons and the quile is edged with green ribbons. All the ribbons have been screen printed in yellow ink. There is a velcro strip attached at upper back edge.The ribbons are prizes from sheep breeding competitions from 1958 to 1961.[various]corriedale sheep sheep breeding agricultural shows, stanbury corriedale stud, wettenhall, mr rupert e. wettenhall, mrs janet, victoria, corriedale sheep, sheep breeding, agricultural shows

Book of fabric samples produced by Yarra Falls Pty Ltd, Melbourne.Large cloth and leather bound book of fabric samples, text and figures. Spine and corners of red leather and rest of cover dark green. Book manufacturers label past on inside cover. Two small white labels with numbers pasted on spine.Arbuckle Waddell Pty. Ltd. Printerstextile production textile design textile mills, forrest, mr craig - yarra falls pty ltd, melbourne, victoria, textile production, textile design, textile mills

Card with fabric samples affixed with staples. Card has some hand written text and two holes punched in spine.front: [handwritten] Albion Mills Geelong / 627 20/4samples, fabric, brochure, school uniforms, albion woollen mills co. pty ltd

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretchGreen knee length skirt with button and zip back. Has two pockets, and two darts in both front and back.Label 1 - Barcelona 1992 Official Uniform supplied by Australian Wool Corporation Label 2 - Fletcher Jones Australia 141992 barcelona olympics, australian wool corporation, wool, olympic games official occasions

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Yellow long sleeved shirt with detachable floral collar. Double breasted pockets.Label - Pelaco1992 barcelona olympics, australian wool corporation, wool

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Green button up tailored jacket with two faux pockets and a breast pocket on left hand side. Olympic logo on left breast pocket.Label 1 - Barcelona 1992 Official Uniform Supplied by Australian Wool Corporation Label 2 - Fletcher Jones Australia On breast of jacket - Australia Barcelona 19921992 barcelona olympics, uniform, jacket, fletcher jones

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Yellow shirt, one pocket on left breast. The cuffs and the collar are white.On label - Barcelona 1992 Official Uniform supplied by Australian Wool Corporation1992 barcelona olympics, wool, australian wool corporation

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Floral tie with cream, red, green native flower design.On label - Woven & manufactured in Australia by "Tee-Dee" exclusively for the Australian Wool Corporation1992 barcelona olympics, uniform, tie, australian wool corporation

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Green jacket with Olympic emblem on left breast pocketLabel 1 - Barcelona 1992 Official Uniform Supplied by Australian Wool Corporation Label 2 - Fletcher Jones Australia Label 3 - Warm iron dry clean only On jacket breast - Australia Barcelona 19921992 barcelona olympics, uniform, tie, australian wool corporation

This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served with the 2/24th Battalion which was raised Wangaratta. Walter Edward PARKER VX34529 Lancelot HALL VX32047 DOB 25/10/1904 Mildura Greville Egerton DENNYS Capt. NX4731 DOB 4/3/1917 DOD 4/10/1969 Enlisted 27/10/1939 George Charles GREEN VX21968This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served in the 2/24th Battalion which was raised in Wangaratta. Recognising the cultural and historical significance of the flag to both Italy and Australia, the Wangaratta RSL received a grant to have the flag professionally restored and framed in 2017.Large Italian flag with green, white and red vertical panels of equal size defaced with the Savoyan coat of arms, a red shield with white cross bordered with blue. Three two-piece hoist ties on the green side. Panels are sewn together from separate pieces of fabric. The shield appears to have been printed directly onto the white panel. The edges are hemmed.There are several handwritten inscriptions on the coat of arms in red and blue/black ink detailing the name and service numbers of different soldiers. (Not all of the writing is legible). Legible texts reads: "VX32047 / L HALL / ALAMEINE / 9.7.42" "VX21968 / G Green" "VX?45?? / W PARKER / ALAMEIN" - "NX4731 Greville Denys"italian flag, italy, el alamein, battle of el alamein, 2/24th battalion, wangaratta, ww2

This pair of RS161 Grant Featherston Contour Settees (1951) were previously in the Boyd home in Camberwell. Robin Boyd designed the Ivanhoe home and Grant and Mary Featherston (1967).Two two-seater settees, with four timber cigar shaped legs with round flat metal brass feet. Olive green/copper loose weave fabric. Wool/silk blend fabric. Twenty five self-covered buttons. Curvaceous contour shape.walsh st furnishings, settee, featherston, robin boyd

The four Maruni60 chairs are Japanese kit form self-assemble furniture (1961). Purchased from Anderson's furniture store in Chapel St Prahran, the store's back room was considered the coolest furniture showroom in Melbourne. Patricia Boyd had the cushions reupholstered to this purple fabric. These became quite fragile and broke several times and needed repair. The original chairs are currently stored offsite. The current chairs at Walsh St are reproductions (item F033).Set of four timber frame with two purple upholstered cushions for back and seatwalsh st furnishings, robin boyd, maruni

These are reproductions of four Maruni60 chairs (item F032) The originals are Japanese kit form self-assemble furniture (1961) and were quite fragile and broke several times and needed repair. The originals were purchased from Anderson's furniture store in Chapel St Prahran, the store's back room was considered the coolest furniture showroom in Melbourne. Patricia Boyd had the cushions reupholstered to this purple fabric. These reproductions cannot be dismantled.Set of four timber frame with two purple upholstered cushions for back and seatwalsh st furnishings, robin boyd, maruni

These two chairs and another pair of chairs (item F044) are Grant Featherston prototypes of the 1947 Relaxation Chairs. These chairs came from the Boyd family's Camberwell home (666 Riversdale Road, Camberwell, formerly 158 Riversdale Road) and were originally upholstered with webbing. The fixings were modified in the final product relaxation chairs. Robin Boyd designed the Ivanhoe home of Grant and Mary Featherston (1967).Set of two black and grey fine checked wool fabric. Laminated timber legs and frame. 9 self-covered buttons. No arms.walsh st furnishings, robin boyd, grant featherston

The daybed cover here is same fabric as some of the cushions (items F045-F058) located on the two daybeds in the front west facing rooms of the Children's Pavilion.Striped dark grey/white heavy cotton. Box pleated at each corner. "skirt" reaches to the floor. Piling around the top edge.walsh st furnishings, robin boyd

The daybed cover here is same fabric as some of the cushions (items F045-F058) located on the two daybeds in the front west facing rooms of the Children's Pavilion.Charcoal grey and off-white striped fitted cover, with self-piping and corner pleatswalsh st furnishings, robin boyd

This child's dress was made by the Donor's Grandmother - Edith Slater (née Day) in the late 1940's. She was born in Clerkenwell, London in the 1880's, one of 9 children ( 8 girls and 1 boy). She was a fine needle woman and during the Great Depression (1930's) she supported herself and her 3 children by making babies bonnets by hand. Every 2 weeks she packed a case with 3 dozen bonnets and took them to London to be sold.Made in the late 1940's from parachute silk. Life in post WW2 Britain was very basic and traditional fabric was rationed.Cream Parachute Silk Smocked Dress with three bands of smocking on the front and one band on the back. embroidered in trellis stitch in two shades of green thread. Short sleeves, Peter Pan collar, waist tie, Buttons and press stud back closure,

From Yangzhou area in China. Purchased in 1998.Embroidered panel with two pink and three green squares separated by green silk ribbon. Ornate design in white with pink and blue highlights. Black silk fabric backing.china, chinese embroidery

A suzani is a large, hand-embroidered textile panel; the word comes from the Persian word suzan, which means needle. Originating from nomadic tribes in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, suzanis have become highly collectable and valued for their beautiful decoration and fine craftsmanship. They were traditionally made by brides and their mothers as part of a dowry, and presented to the groom on his wedding day. They represented the binding together of two families, and were adorned with symbols of luck, health, long life and fertility. Suzanis are made from cotton, sometimes silk. The pattern is first drawn onto the cotton, before being embroidered on narrow portable looms. They are usually produced in two or more pieces, meaning that they can be worked on by more than one person, before being stitched together. Just four stitches — tambour, basma, chain and kanda-khayol Part of a piece of embroidered Suzani in red cotton with corner embroidered with circular designs and framed corner panel. Designs are embroidered in white, cream, blue and black thread in tambour stitch. Backing is a floral yellow fabric. Green tassels on two sides with spangles attached.

A suzani is a large, hand-embroidered textile panel; the word comes from the Persian word suzan, which means needle. Originating from nomadic tribes in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, suzanis have become highly collectable and valued for their beautiful decoration and fine craftsmanship. They were traditionally made by brides and their mothers as part of a dowry, and presented to the groom on his wedding day. They represented the binding together of two families, and were adorned with symbols of luck, health, long life and fertility. Suzanis are made from cotton, sometimes silk. The pattern is first drawn onto the cotton, before being embroidered on narrow portable looms. They are usually produced in two or more pieces, meaning that they can be worked on by more than one person, before being stitched together. Just four stitches — tambour, basma, chain and kanda-khayol Panel of embroidered Suzani on green polyester fabric with maroon velvet border. Embroidered with stylized floral circular designs and foliage. Designs are embroidered in white, yellow, orange, bronze, pink, brown and black thread in tambour stitch. Backing is red cotton fabric. Border strips are embellished with machine patterned stitching.

A suzani is a large, hand-embroidered textile panel; the word comes from the Persian word suzan, which means needle. Originating from nomadic tribes in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, suzanis have become highly collectable and valued for their beautiful decoration and fine craftsmanship. They were traditionally made by brides and their mothers as part of a dowry, and presented to the groom on his wedding day. They represented the binding together of two families, and were adorned with symbols of luck, health, long life and fertility. Suzanis are made from cotton, sometimes silk. The pattern is first drawn onto the cotton, before being embroidered on narrow portable looms. They are usually produced in two or more pieces, meaning that they can be worked on by more than one person, before being stitched together. Just four stitches — tambour, basma, chain and kanda-khayol Cushion cover of embroidered Suzani on red cotton fabric. Embroidered with stylized floral design and foliage. Designs are embroidered in white, yellow, orange, bronze, pink, brown and black thread in tambour stitch.

Two remnants of needle-turned applique on cotton tulle. Grey hand dyed fabric. Side pieces for corset.

traditional hand sewn crafted by indigenous Guna (Kuna) people of the San Blas Islands, panama and Colombia. Usually made in pairs to decorate the front and back of a Guna woman's blouse. Artists fill nearly all the spaces, traditionally believed to leave no room for evil spirits to settle. Evolving from ancestral geometric body painting. Following 1925 Guna Revolution, securing their autonomy, making and wearing Molas became a symbol of cultural identity and independence.Black panel with rectangle of reverse applique in very bright colours - orange, blue, pink, black, with red fabric predominant. Depicting two dolphins/sharks. Three separate motifs depict birds. Part of Mola - traditional garment.embroidery, mola, reverse applique

During the late 19th and early 20th century, the badges were prized collector items for wives of western diplomats stationed in Peking or Shanghai, and missionaries throughout China. The western collectors in old China not only framed the beautiful badges and hung them on walls, thus preserving them for future generations, but made evening purses of them. They put them under glass-covered serving trays, made decorative boxes adorned by them, and other imaginative items. They were most innovative with the regal badges that had been displayed with great pride by mandarin on the black silk surcoats worn over the colorful dragon robes on all official occasions in the court of the last emperors and empresses of China. Two groups of men achieved badges, civil and military. Each category had nine ranks. The civil rank badges feature birds for identification, and the military utilize animals, both real and mythological. The first civil examination was generally taken at approximately age 18. Those who passed were awarded the Flower of Talent or Hsiu-ts’ai title and were entitled to wear the ninth rank badge, the Paradise Flycatcher. This would be equivalent to receiving our Bachelor of Arts degree.Silk embroidery on silk fabric. Originally a Chinese Civil Rank Badge, repurposed into a bag. Satin stitch and metallic thread couching. Embroidery in pale mauve, aqua, blue and cream. Central panel has a bird with wings outstretched. Metal thread is used to attach to green Peking glass handles. Internal lining is degraded teal silk.

Designed by the Danish needlework designer Gerda Bengtsson in the 1960'sPanel of voided cross stitch depicting a vase of flowers in a technique resembling Assisi work (with back ground embroidered and pattern voided) . The piece is on even weave fabric embroidered with two strands of stranded cotton - 1 brown, 1 orange. Danish Design.embroidery, assisi, cross stitch

Parents of donor lived in Scandinavia for a time. Piece is believed to be from Sweden or Finland.Two pieces of fine red wool fabric. Designed to be made into slippers, fine wool pieces in grey and cream are appliqued. Two fine braids have been couched, surface embroidery in satin stitch, chain, detached chain, and knots in gold and green thread probably silk complete the design.embroidery, surface stitchery, applique, slippers, 20th century, scandinavia

Cloth of gold is a luxurious, historically significant fabric woven with real gold (or gilt) threads, often wrapped around a silk core, creating a stiff, heavy, and incredibly expensive material used for royal robes, tapestries, and ceremonial vestments, symbolizing immense wealth and power, famously seen at the Field of the Cloth of Gold event. One of two pieces of a sari, cloth of gold woven with silk warps and gold thread weft. The selvedge has a decorative band of lions, stags and horses with flowers and scatterd motifs on the main area.

Contemporary creative design by artist, Alice Gove, member of EGV, Mildura Branch.Two three dimensional banksia with honeyeater on a background of creative machine embroidered beige lace fabric. Highlighted with hand stitching over padded forms with polymer banksia nuts and bird's beak.bird, creative embroidery