Showing 3322 items
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Mont De Lancey
Furniture - Pedestal, Unknown
Belonged to Alice and George Edwards, Bendigo. Aunt and Uncle of the Colling family.A carved wooden decorative pedestal for display of indoor plants or an ornament. It has barley sugar style trim on the top and the base and a fluted column.display equipment, furniture, pedestals -
Mont De Lancey
Furniture - Bookcase, c1880's
Used at Mont De Lancey by H. & M. Sebire. Part of original furnishings of dining room. Used in the 1880-1890's.Freestanding wooden bookcase with two glass doors at top, pull out drawer and two cupboards below. Has decorative wood panels.bookcases, furniture -
Mont De Lancey
Card - Greeting cards, Specialty Hallmark, 1950's
Five highly decorative floral birthday greeting cards from the 1950's. Three have ribbon decoration in pink, green and purple.Greetings written inside from 'Netta & Neville, Mary or Eva'. On the back of the pink roses card, handwritten in pink pencil '1 Camphor in Eucalyptus, 1/2 teas menthol, Olive Oil' greeting cards, birthday cards -
Mont De Lancey
Wash Stand
Part of Wandin Sebire's bedroom suite.Marble topped wooden wash stand with two drawers, one cupboard two shelves and decorative pink floral tiles. Mirror in centre.bedroom suites, washstands -
Mont De Lancey
Vase
Decorative vase with 2 handles, and a painted design of purple flowers on one side, and a stag and deer on other side. Gold paint on handles."Made in England" on the bottomvases -
Mont De Lancey
Book, The visitors' guide to the Upper Yarra District
Presented to the Wandin Historical Society by Mrs. Noel Rowe (nee Massina), 1992. Restored by Apollo Moon.Navy hard covered book with gold embossing of title and decorative border. Includes maps and blank pages. Has marbled end papers.upper yarra, yarra river -
Kilmore Historical Society
Book, HISTORICAL READER NO.1
School textbook, history.Faded green cloth-bound, badly stained, decorative black border, damage to lower front cover. Poor condition. Illustrated. 160pp.non-fictionSchool textbook, history.history, textbook, children, glanville -
Linton Mechanics Institute and Free Library Collection
Book - Novel, Whishaw, Fred J, A Tsar's gratitude, 1897
320 p.: decorative grey and black cover with images of a ship on the sea, seaweed or flowers. Title and author's name embossed in gold on spine.fictionfiction, fred j. whishaw -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mrs Jane D’Alton nee Galbraith 1890 -- Studio Portrait
Portrait of Jane D’Alton (nee Galbraith) taken in studio standing beside chair. The woman is dressed in long frock bodice buttoned with bottom of frock quite elaborate. c 1890Black and white photograph of a woman standing beside a decorative chair. The dress is ballooned to the ground with an elaborate hem. Bodice buttoned with decorated jacket. stawell clothing halls gap -
Villa Alba Museum
Decorative object - Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co design, 'Oak Tree', 1920-1930
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. The Museum's Decorative Arts & Design collection includes artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).‘Oak Tree’ pattern. Sample of original Morris & Co wallpaper, designed circa 1896 by John Henry Dearle (1859–1932). Oakleaf and acorns in pale blue on cream ground. Sample manufactured ca.1920–ca.1930. Printed border : OAK TREE / MORRIS & COdecorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, john henry dearle, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history -
Villa Alba Museum
Decorative object - Wallpaper sample of a Morris & Co design, 'Chrysanthemum', c.1970
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. The Museum's Decorative Arts & Design collection includes artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Wallpaper sample: ‘Chrysanthemum’ pattern. Original pattern created 1876–1877 by William Morris (1834-1896). Sample is a later Morris-style wallpaper block reproduction from the 1970s. decorative arts & design, wallpapers -- morris & co, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history -
Villa Alba Museum
Photograph - Hearth Tiles, Dining Room Fireplace, Villa Alba, Mintons Ltd, c.1882
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.Digital photograph of the pattern of plain hearth tiles in the fireplace of the dining room at Villa Alba. The square majolica plain tiles, positioned under where the original cast iron grill sat, are in shades of brown, green and blue. The tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- dining room -
Villa Alba Museum
Photograph - Hearth Tiles, Main Bedroom Fireplace, Villa Alba, Mintons Ltd, c.1882
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 gold, black and white hearth tiles of the fireplace in the main bedroom at Villa Alba. The twelve geometric, visually interlocking tiles feature an abstract flower within a black border. There are twelve parts of the pattern on each tile.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba --- main bedroom -
Villa Alba Museum
Photograph - Second Bedroom Fireplace, Villa Alba, c.1882
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 second bedroom of Villa Alba. The original 1880s white marble mantel, obliquely positioned in the northwest corner of the room (one of two examples in the house) is the most ornate mantel in the first floor bedrooms. The central visual element in the mantel is an upturned conch shell surrounded by stylised foliage and flowers. The two upright carved supports of the mantel are sinuously carved in all almost rococo manner. The mantel is inset with monochrome surround tiles and ornate polychrome glazed tiles in a manner reminiscent of Ottoman Iznik tile work. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- second bedroom -
Villa Alba Museum
Photograph - Surround Tiles, Third Bedroom Fireplace, Villa Alba, c.1882
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 pattern of the rectangular surround tiles in the third bedroom of Villa Alba. The tiles, which are painted in underglaze red and green have a central scrolling pattern of large six- and small four-petalled flowers in green. The border use Late Victorian neo-classical fretwork. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba -- third bedroom -
Villa Alba Museum
Photograph - Fourth Bedroom Fireplace, Villa Alba, c.1882
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 fourth bedroom of Villa Alba. This is the only replacement fire place setting in the house. It was purchased with the support of a grant from the Bendigo Community Bank - Kew East Branch. The mantel, like that in the. third bedroom features garlands of polychrome painted flowers on the three panels. The mantel is inset with monochrome surround and hearth tiles. The latter is incomplete, missing the front row. All of the tiles were produced by Mintons Ltd.fireplaces, mintons, mintons - tiles, villa alba - fourth bedroom -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Personal items, Beads, hair clip and safety pin, Early 20th century
These items would have been worn or used by a woman in the early 20th century for decorative purposes.These items have no known provenance and are retained for display purposes.These are two necklaces, one red double stringed and one amber coloured with graduated glass beads. Both are tied together with cotton. Attached to the cotton is one metal pin and one metal hair curler. beads, hair curler, house hold items -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Ornaments, 2 clear glass swans, 20thC
These 2 clear glass swan ornaments were very common decorative items mid 20thC2 clear glass swansmoorabin, bentleigh, cheltenham, ormond, ornaments, glassware, homewares. -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Decorative object - PTC Magnet, Public Transport Corporation (PTC), c.1990s
Used for decorative purposes on magnetic surfaces, such as on a fridge door. Likely an advertisement for the Public Transport Corporation.A marketing material associated with a now-superceded transit agency (since the 1990s).White rectangular sheet magnet with the text "Public Transport Corporation" printed in teal serif font between 4 black lines.public transport, public transport corporation, ptc -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Lamp Shade, After 1975
A lamp shade in the design used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for a decorative kerosene lamp.The glass lamp shade was made as an example of the design used for late 19th and early 20th-century decorative glass used on kerosene lamps in a domestic situation. Blue glass lamp shade with bulbous bodyflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, kerosene lamp, replacement glass, glass lamp shade, blue glass, lighting -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Day dress, circa 1878
This dress is of uncertain provenance. BHS records indicate that it was owned by Marion Jane Ellen Devlin, nee Stokes (1845-1936), who married Oliver Devlin on 2 April 1877 in Victoria. The dress is believed to have been worn on the Bendigo goldfields circa 1878. It may have been worn as a wedding dress. However, additional documentation discovered in August 2019 suggest that the dress belonged to Margaret Cocking, nee Carr (1850-1936), who married Gustavus Cocking in Bendigo in 1877.A grey-green circa 1878 dress comprising a matching jacket and skirt. The jacket (.1) features a standing collar that gathers to a low point at the throat. This point is concealed behind a bow with raw edges which may not be original. The centre front of the jacket has been secured with nineteen concealed metal hook and button holes. The centre front features fifteen sets of single fabric covered glass buttons secured in a diagonal pattern and appearing as double headed buttons. From the shoulder through the body the jacket is shaped with decorative panels with grey silk detail. Beside these panels shaping into the waist and under the arm are a further two pleats. On the left side waist is a small pocket with decorative flap, grey silk trim and button. The base line of the jacket features a decorative horizontal panel that wraps around the jacket. The sleeve head is small and sits on the natural shoulder line with a slim fitting, curved, full length sleeve. At the base of the sleeve, there is a decorative panel reminiscent of a formal cuff, with a decorative turn back and two buttons. Secured underneath this turn back is a bow like decoration. From the back the jacket features a V shaped decoration, an extension of the front two decorative panels. From the shoulders the jacket is shaped by four panels curving tight into the waist and flaring out again to fullness of the bustle. These seams are also finished with decorative binding. This peplum-like shape features two decorative flaps and six covered buttons. The skirt (.2) is shaped to the waist with pleats and secures on the front left hand side, the original waistband and fastenings have been replaced. The skirt front features a large decorative panel of the same fabric that curves from the front at approximately shin length, upwards towards the back securing underneath the bustle decoration. A second panel, plus a pleated panel finish the hem of the skirt continuing around to the back. At the back the skirt features two deep pleats with a large decorative bow that would sit out over the bustle. The skirt is long featuring a small train at the back. The dress is lined in a brown waxed cotton.wedding dress, 1870s fashion, marion jane ellen stokes, oliver devlin, margaret carr, gustavus cocking, bendigo -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book (Item) - Scrapbook, David Hood Duncan, Album, 1850-1900
This scrapbook contains newspaper cuttings, hand written poems and quotes from friends and family members and pressed flowers and ferns. Entries were made in the mid 1800s to early 1900s and relate to Duncan family history. The initials suggest this is Lillie and Olive's father, David Hood Duncan, who created this scrapbook. David Hood Duncan married Ada Blanche Thomson (1861-1928) on 25 November 1896. Ada was the daughter of John Gilmour Thomson (1829-1905) from Moonee Ponds and Hannah Davies (1834-1890) Their first daughter, Lillie, was born on 15 October 1897 in Woodland, South Gippsland where he was a farmer. In 1908, 1910, 1911, 1913, Lillie Duncan sent letters to Patience from the Young Folk section of the Australian. She was writing from Woodlea, Cathkin, where they had moved as there was no school in South Gippsland. They moved to 11 Paxton Street, East Malvern when David retired. He was leasing a farm, Kia Ora, in Koo Wee Rup, the South Gippsland. Ada Blanche died on 28 December 1928. David died on 24 May 1942.This is an album of social and historic significance, being part of a sub-collection of material that provides a snapshot of the type of individuals and families involved in the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the activities carried out by that organisation.Decoratively embossed word on front cover : "ALBUM" . Inner pages: Handwritten in various inks throughout are poems and quotes. Two unidentified initials followed by Duncan name on the inside page. duncan, poems, quotes, newspaper cuttings, albums, scrapbooks, lillie duncan, olive duncan, poetry, ferns, plants, david hood duncan, ada blanche duncan (nee thomson), epistolary -
Deaf Children Australia
Book, Reports V.S.D.C. 1947 to 1954
Deaf Children Australia have a complete set of Annual reports from 1863 to the present date. Annual reports document the activities of the organisation, including educational issues, finance, staffing and students. Annual Reports are created each year.This represents part of the complete official history of Deaf Children Australia from 1863 to the present date, covering the subject of deaf education and related issues.Red Leather bound volume with gold stamping containing Annual Reports of the Victorian School for Deaf Children ( previously Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution) (V.S.D.C) First report: 85th Annual report presented at the Annual Meeting held on 19th August 1947. Last report: 92nd Annual report presented at Annual Meeting held on 23rd August 1954. Includes Annual Reports, abstract of Acccounts, and photographsFront Cover: "VICTORIAN SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN" in gold stamping. Spine "REPORTS V.S.D.C." "1947 to 1954" in gold stamping. Decorative stamping around edges of back and front covers.deaf children australia, deaf education, deaf and dumb institution, annual report -
Deaf Children Australia
Book, Report V.S.D.C. 1969 to 1978
Deaf Children Australia have a complete set of Annual reports from 1863 to the present date. Annual reports document the activities of the organisation, including educational issues, finance, staffing and students. Annual Reports are created each year.This represents part of the complete official history of Deaf Children Australia from 1863 to the present date, covering the subject of deaf education and related issues.Red Leather (?) bound volume with gold stamping containing Annual Reports of the Victorian School for Deaf Children (V.S.D.C) First report: 107th Annual report presented at the Annual Meeting, 1969. Last report: 116th Annual report presented at Annual Meeting, 1978. Includes photographsFront Cover: "VICTORIAN SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN" in gold stamping. Spine "REPORTS V.S.D.C." "1969 to 1978" in gold stamping. Decorative stamping around edges of back and front covers.deaf children australia, deaf education, annual report -
Deaf Children Australia
Book, Report V.S.D.C. 1979 to 1987
Deaf Children Australia have a complete set of Annual reports from 1863 to the present date. Annual reports document the activities of the organisation, including educational issues, finance, staffing and students. Annual Reports are created each year.This represents part of the complete official history of Deaf Children Australia from 1863 to the present date, covering the subject of deaf education and related issues.Red Leather (?) bound volume with gold stamping containing Annual Reports of the Victorian School for Deaf Children (V.S.D.C) First report: 117th Annual report presented at the Annual Meeting, 1979. Last report: 125th Annual report presented at Annual Meeting, 1987. Includes Annual Reports and Financial reports for V.S.D.C. and Princess Elizabeth Junior School, and photographsFront Cover: "VICTORIAN SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN" in gold stamping. Spine "REPORTS V.S.D.C." "1979 to 1987" in gold stamping. Decorative stamping around edges of back and front covers.deaf children australia, deaf education, annual report -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Musical, Organ, Mason and Hamlin Organ and Piano Co, circa 1880
This early 1880s Mason & Hamlin reed organ was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. It was donated to the Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen's Church by the Joy Club for Fighters around the time of the opening of the church. The front panel displays the front and back of six medallions, showing the year and location of exhibitions that Mason & Hamlin participated in, adding perceived notability and prestige to the value of this organ. These medallions date from 1867 - 1881: Paris 1867, Vienna 1873, Philadelphia 1876, Paris 1878, Sweden 1878 and Milan 1881. MASON & HAMLIN Mason & Hamlin organ manufacturer was founded by Henry Mason and Emmons Hamlin in Boston, Massachusetts in the 1850s, making about 450 organs per year. By 1905 the annual turnover was around 10,000 instruments. The Cable Co. purchased the company in 1911, which in turn was taken over by the American Piano Co. in 1924. By 1927 the production reed organs had ceased. Mason & Hamlin, like many other manufacturers, publicised its instruments at county fairs and exhibitions. They were quick to advertise any awards they won, or even recognition for displaying at these events, by adding matching medallion decals to their products. JOY CLUB FOR FIGHTERS The Joy Club for Fighters was formed in Williamstown in 1940 to raise funds to support Australians fighting in Australia and overseas in World War II. Activities such as dances were organised in venues such as Mechanics' Institutes, and enthusiastically supported. Donations were given to several hospitals and other care facilities, and local fighters, for distribution to the servicemen. Items such as food hampers and cigarettes were amongst the tributes given. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. The organ is historically significant for its creation, being circa 1880 and still in use in the 1960s. This organ is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The item is historically significant for its connection to the Joy Club for Fighters, a support charity for Australian servicemen and women of World War II. The connection of this item to the Mission to Seamen and to the Joy Club for Fighters highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people in the armed forces, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support.Organ; reed organ, mahogany wood with decorative carving and colourful inlaid floral design. Has two pedals that are decoratively covered in floral patterned tapestry. Inscriptions are on the panel above the keyboard. Organ has five octaves and eleven stoppers. Made by Mason & Hamlin, America, circa 1881. This organ is part of our St Nicholas Seamen's Church collection."Mason & Hamlin" and below the music rest "No 113032" and other indiscernible print Medallions, left - right "PARIS, 1878." "SWEDEN, 1878." "PHILA., 1876." "MILAN, 1881." "VIENNA, 1873." "PARIS, 1867."flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, religion, religious service, st nicholas seamen’s church, williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, joy club for fighters, musical instrument, reed organ, mason & hamlin, worship service, worship music -
Melbourne Legacy
Souvenir - Souvenir Scarf, 14th Inf. Batt Souvenir of Egypt 1916, 1916
A silk scarf souvenir from Egypt. It was embroidered with military symbols and a personal message from someone called William to Nellie. The connection with Legacy is not known. The founders of Legacy were all returned servicemen who returned from overseas service in World War One so would be familiar with similar sentimental souvenirs that were purchased in Egypt and sent home to loved ones.Founding Legatees would have been familiar with Egyptian souvenirs from World War 1.Purple and yellow fabric scarf with machine embroidered text, decorative flag and floral motifs and decorative brocade edging. Scarf is made from two panels of fabric (possibly silk) machine stitched together with '14th Inf. Batt / Souvenir / of Egypt / 1916 / From William to Nellie with best love' on front face. Similar items see 00182, 00179.Embroidered '14th Inf. Batt/ Souvenir of Egypt 1916. From William to Nellie with best love'.souvenir scarf, 14th infantry battalion, egypt, world war one -
Mont De Lancey
Dressing Table and Side Table, Circa 1930's
See picture of family history.Wooden dressing table with mirror, on castors, with two large drawers, and two smaller drawers at side of mirror. An inlaid decorative design, and brass handles on drawers. Wooden side table with one door with a brass handle, and an inlaid decorative design. The chamber pot would be stored on a shelf in this cupboard. These two pieces are part of a 4 piece bedroom suite.side tables, night cupboards, bedroom suites -
Orbost & District Historical Society
pillow sham, first half 20th century
A pillow sham is a decorative pillow case. This is a handmade pillow sham especially crafted for a household in early Orbost.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the early to mid 20th century. Embroidery was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value to domestic linen and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes,A rectangular lace pillow sham. the centre rectangle is white and made of pulled thread lace. The edging is pale pink and blue lace,handcraft pillow-sham needlework -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Butter Knife, Barker Brothers, Ca. 1885-1895
This butter or cheese knife is a decorative example of electroplated cutlery that had become an affordable alternative to more expensive silver cutlery in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The knife has stamp marks in the back of its handle that are a combination of letters and symbols used by British silversmiths to identify their workmanship. The design and type of this knife was not normally used by everyday people but rather those of a higher social class with time and money to have a particular decorative knife to serve butter or cheese. The marks on the handle tell that it was made of nickel silver, and electroplated with superior quality Stirling silver. The Barker Brothers of Birmingham made the knife between 1885 and 1907, but most likely before 1895. It was made for the British, or British colonial, people, connected with a government department such as the navy or defence. This story may be slightly inaccurate, as some silversmiths added extra ‘pseudo marks’ to their wares to disguise the quality. THE MARKS and their meaning – - ‘A1’ The silver used in electroplating this knife was the highest level, ‘superior quality’, measured in grams of silver per table spoon or table fork, with ‘A1’ being 2 2/3 grams, and ‘D’ being 0 1/2 grams of silver. - ‘BB’ The Baker Brothers used these initials from 1885 to 1907. - ‘[crown symbol]’ – This symbol is used for Sterling silver but this knife is a metal alloy. The crown is also the town mark of Sheffield (appointed by the Sheffield Assay Office) but this knife was made in Birmingham, which has the town mark of an anchor. The Barker Brothers may have added the crown mark to this electroplated silverware as a ‘pseudo hallmark’, leading the buyer to think that it was actual Sterling silver. The use of pseudo hallmarks by electroplaters of the Victorian era was common practice but it was illegal. In 1895 the unlawful practice was seen as imitating the Sheffield Silver Mark and the law was firmly applied to eradicate the deception, so items with this mark probably date before 1895. - [EPNS] Electro Plated Nickel Silver, called nickel silver or German silver, is a metal alloy that usually combines copper, nickel and zinc (60 percent copper, 20 percent nickel, 20 percent zinc). It has a silver-white appearance and is sometimes referred to as ‘white ware’. It does not contain any silver but is often used as a base for electroplating, when the item is covered with a thin layer of silver to give it the polished appearance of pure silver. It became popular in the late 19th and early 20th century as an affordable substitute for sterling silver. - Broad Arrow - an official stamp that indicates it was once the property of Britain government, either in Britain or one of its colonies, and used in the defence force. In Great Britain, from an 1875 government act, it was, and still, is a crime to forge or wrongfully use, the broad arrow symbol. The BARKER BROTHERS of Birmingham - Barker Brothers were one of the earlies firms of Birmingham silversmiths, established in 1801 by Mary Barker. They became Barker & Creed, then William and Matthias Barker, then from 1885 they were the Barker Brothers. They were operating in Paradise Street in 1871 until in 1903 they moved to Unity Works, Constitution Hill, in Birmingham. The firm also had a showroom at 292 High Holborn, London, from the early 1900s to the 1980s. In 1907 the firm became Barker Brothers Silversmiths Ltd, then in the 1960s they merged with Ellis & Co, becoming Barker Ellis Silver Co. Ltd. In 1979 they were registered in USA as Ellis & Co., Barker Ellis, and Ellis Barker. The business went into administration in 1992, after almost 200 years of production. The firm advertised as specialists in electroplating, and used the trademarks BRITANOID, UNITY PLATE and THE HYGENIA.This knife is historically significant, dated from 1885 to 1907 but most likely pre-1895, and made by the longstanding Birmingham silversmiths, the Barker Brothers, established in 1801. The knife is an example of decorative flatware used by people of ’class’. It also has the broad arrow stamp, connecting it to the British government, in particular the ordinance department. The stamp also connects it to other items in our collection with that stamp. It may have been connected to pre-Federation government organisations and officials such as the army Garrison, government naval vessel, police, lighthouse keepers, harbour masters. The knife is the only example of its kind in our collection, being a decorative silver butter or cheese knife, made by the Barker Brothers of Birmingham. Butter knife, or cheese knife, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS). Upper blade edge has decorative shape and engraved motifs, lower blade edge is bevelled to a cutting edge, and narrow plain handle flares out to a wide, rounded end. Maker’s marks are stamped on the reverse. Made by Barker Brothers of Birmingham in the late-19th century. Stamps: “