The Fashion & Design collections of Kew Historical Society include a number of art or household textiles manufactured or created in the United Kingdom as well as in Australia. As other cultures opened to Australian travellers in the 20th century, members began collecting and donating textiles produced in a number of other countries.Embroidered doily in the shape of Australia commemorating the ‘Royal Visit 1954’. The multicoloured embroidered images used on the include koalas and eucalyptus flowers on a cream fringed ground. doilies - patriotic, doilies - symbolic, soft furnishings, royal visits

White rectangular embroidered fabric constructed of two joined pieces of fabric and used as a decorative teapot cover.teapot covers, table linen, tea cosies

In the early 20th century it was common for ladies to work doilies in lace or embroidered cloth. They were used to decorate sideboards or dressing tables and also on trays underneath crockery and on plates under food. These could be made from purchased kits or pattern books. They may form part of a trousseau Set of partially worked doilies. They are comprised of daisy wheels of two sizes. A central circular motif is surrounded by smaller motifsdoilies, household textiles

In the early 20th century it was common for ladies to work doilies in lace or embroidered cloth. They were used to decorate sideboards or dressing tables and also on trays underneath crockery and on plates under food. These could be made from purchased kits or pattern books. They may form part of a trousseauSet of two white embroidered doilies. Scalloped edge has crotcheted finish. An embroidered leaf and half flower pattern on two opposing corners and embroidered quarter flower on the other two corners. There is an embroidered flower in the centre. There are six sets of embroidered holes to thread a ribbon through to gather the larger doily.doilies, household linens

Crescent shaped tin decorated with scene of man and woman playing tennis. Materials: Metal, Inktennis

Metal ornament in shape of crossed racquets, a ball and suitcase. Materials: Metaltennis

Copper commemorative dish impressed with design of foliage, male tennis player and text: 'OLYMPISCHE SPELEN/1928'. Materials: Metaltennis

Set of three ceramic miniature racquets decorated with city heraldry. (.1) by Shelley with Rothesay heraldry; (.2) by W&R china with Herne Bay heraldry; (.3) by the Corona China Co. with City of Exeter heraldry. Materials: Ceramic, Pigmenttennis

Round ceramic box painted on lid with tennis scene. Printed on base: 'THE WIMBLEDON COLLECTION/"ON THE LAWN"/MINTON.1793/BONE CHINA/MADE IN ENGLAND/1988 ROYAL DOULTON/BY APPOINTMENT TO/THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB, WIMBLEDON'. Materials: Ceramic, Pigmenttennis

Small round ceramic box painted on lid with tennis scene. Printed on base: 'COMMISSIONED BY THE HORCHOW COLLECTION/ TO BENEFIT THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY/PRO-CELEBRITY TENNIS TOURNAMENT/ BILSTON AND BATTERSEA ENAMELS/MADE IN ENGLAND'. Inside box is inscribed 'LOVE ETHEL'. Under lid is 'RFK' logo. Materials: Ceramic, Pigment, Metal, Enameltennis

Silver miniature representation of tennis racquet, with sliding ball mechanism which draws out pen nib. Stamped 'S.MORDAN & CO'. Materials: Silver/Metaltennis

This item is part of a larger collection donated to the Kew Historical Society by Anna French. The collection includes personal items from the donor's family, as well as items given to the donor and her mother by a family friend, Lucy Merritt (Jean) Hornby. The item is from that part of the collection inherited or assembled by Jean Hornby. The collection is significant given Jean Hornby's mother's descent from Robert Hornby (1854-1935) and Eva Merritt (1865-1959); her mother the chid of a family who settled in Kew in the 1850s, this providing a chain of provenance for items dating to the mid-nineteenth century, when her maternal forebears arrived in Melbourne. Other items represent Jean Hornby's contribution to her local and wider community.The items as created are representative and fine examples of late Victorian and or Edwardian needlework. While many such items were copies of published patterns, these may be original designs. Two mantle or pelmet decorations, with hand embroidered arum lilies on delustred satin backed onto canvas. One pelmet is slightly longer than the other, but each has the same number of bobbles on the trim. hornby family, families -- kew (vic.), jean hornby, soft furnishings, decorative arts, embroidery

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Metal ceiling rose from the Kew Police Station, removed during renovations, 2007-11. From original, now concealed ceilings.kew police station, ceiling roses, architectural fittings

This is an example of a home craft object, designed for the user to decorate various objects.Multi-coloured beaded fringe used to decorate an object such as a lampshade.Nilfringes, glass beads, homecraft

This is an example of a home craft object, designed for the user to decorate various objects.Multi-coloured beaded fringe used to decorate an object such as a lampshade.Nilfringes, glass beads, homecraft

Variably described as mantel hangings, pelmets or valances, these became a common form of Victorian interior decoration in the second half of the 19th century. The hanging uses arrasene embroidery which was introduced for artistic embroidery c.1883. Arrasene embroidery was a variation of chenille embroidery and was mainly used for curtain borders, mantel hangings and screens. When used to embroider flowers on velvet or plush, it was sewn upon the surface without being ‘drawn through’. Madonna lilies, irises, daffodils and narcissi were commonly used in designs of mantel hangings.Velvet mantel hanging embroidered with chenille thread. The scalloped edge of the pelmet is bordered by multicoloured silk cording. This example was owned by Netty Cornish of 15 Peel Street, Kew, and donated by her daughter, Mrs F Plumridge in 1980. The embroidered flowers in this example include narcissi and roses.mantel pelmet, peel street, kew, nettie cornish, mary plumridge

A silk patchwork quilt in a hexagons pattern originally owned by the Denbigh family of ‘Wimba’. The Denbigh family is recorded as living at ‘Park Villa’ ‘near Kew’ in 1856. John Denbigh was at this stage the superintendent of the local Baptist school. By 1869 they are listed as residing in Cotham Road. John Sharp Denbigh’s death in 1875 resulted in the sale of Wimba. This is an important early English silk hexagons quilt with outstanding technical workmanship, and is well-provenanced.The quilt is constructed in the popular hexagon pattern of silk off-cuts of an earlier period. Hexagon patchwork quilts were typically constructed of individual hexagons, which were formed using paper or card templates. Where these are visible, it would indicate that writing paper was used to form the templates. The quilt is unlined and has a green silk border, added at a later date. Early 19th Century patchwork quilts tended to use cotton to create the hexagons, whereas silk became the preferred medium mid-century. The quilt has been dated to the middle decades of the 19th century due to the colour range, and the exclusion of black silk hexagons. Most of the silk used in the quilt has a sheen, however there is some use of velvet in one or two larger hexagons. The exposed reverse of the quilt includes a large amount of very fine hand stitching.An unlined quilt was typically used as a summer spread. patchwork quilt, hexagon pattern, denbigh family, wimba, cotham road, kew, john denbigh, helen johnston, quilt, patchwork, textiles, migration to australia

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977. Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. This small fragment of floral wall paper is a bolder design than the delicately drawn flowers in 1977.0005.1. The flowers in this example were impressionistically created using printing blocks that allowed for different thicknesses of paint to be applied in the hand-blocking process. wallpaper, reno, st john's parade, kew

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977.Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. This large single example is interesting as it represents a change in fashion and style from the finely drawn flowers (1971.0002.1) of an older paper, parts of which can be seen behind this sample. Typically the updating of wallpapers was accomplished by laying a new paper over the old. The ‘newer’ wallpaper is of a single colour, the tone of which may have suffered from colour distortion due to ageing. The new block-printed design, featuring repeated sprays of flowers and leaves combines a bold use of colour with an elegance of design.reno, st john's parade, kew, samuel cocking, wallpaper

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977. Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. These three boldly designed samples from a single room are in shades of green and brown, highlighted by yellow and red floral sprays. While more accurately printed and coloured, the fragment lacks the freedom of design of the earlier samples.wallpaper, reno, st john's parade, kew, samuel cocking

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977.Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. These two large fragments of wallpaper have a formality of design that is accentuated by the wide borders and narrow vertical lines that separate the repeated designs of rose garlands in vases on a vertical trellis design. The design is in tones of pink and green with gilding.reno, st john's parade, kew, samuel cocking, wallpaper

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977. Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. This small fragment is part of the larger design shown in the previous sample (1971.0002.5). It includes a detail of the trellis element from the larger scheme.wallpaper, samuel cocking, reno, st john's parade, kew

Arts Nouveau brass picture frame mounted on wood with a circular glazed insert for a photograph. The brass frame depicts a woman reaching towards a lily.picture frame, art nouveau

In the collection of the Kew RSL (Cotham Road) there is a framed original certificate with information about Lillias Jerram. It includes the following information: Miss Lillias May JERRAM Commandant No. 323 Detachment, Victoria [Citation] Loyal and able leadership and service during World War II Service: Joined No.323 (Kew) Detachment in 1937. Commandant in 1944. Miss Jerram did voluntary duty in casualty and wards at St Vincent's Hospital regularly for 6 years. Also duty at the Eye and Ear Hospital and A.R.P. Duty. Helped No.323 Detachment to raise funds amounting to 400 pounds for St. John Theatre at 115th A.G.H., Heidelberg. Blood donor. [Courtesy: John Torpey representing the Kew RSL]Women's contribution-utions to the war effort both in 1924-18 and again in 1939-45 were significant. Voluntary Aid Detachments. The primary role of a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member was that of nursing orderly in hospitals, carrying out menial but essential tasks - scrubbing floors, sweeping, dusting and cleaning bathrooms and other areas, dealing with bedpans, and washing patients. They were not employed in military hospitals, except as ward and pantry maids; rather, they worked in Red Cross convalescent and rest homes, canteens, and on troop trains.Small blue muslin tablecloth used at V.A.D. (Voluntray Aid Detatchment) meetings in Kew and embroidered with the names of notable members and office bearers. The date range provided in the embroidered names is 1918-1948.Signed with initials of members and the dates of their participation in the V.A.D.voluntary aid detachment (kew branch), signature table cloths, lilies may jerram

William Turner, a Scottish born free-lance designer, who was contracted to GP&J Baker, painted the image on which the design was based in 1918. Turner had trained as a furniture designer before leaving for London in the 1890s, where he rose to prominence as an Arts & Crafts designer. The bird that gives this design its name is adapted from Robert Havell’s ‘A Collection of Birds of Paradise’, published in 1835, and was a favourite of Victorian chintz designers.“Paradise Bird” has been in continuous production since its creation. The hand-block print, of which these curtains are an early example, was supplemented by a version engraved on copper rollers in 1962, and was updated onto screens in 1982. The curtains have significance to the collection because of their intrinsic value and for the link to one of the historic mansions in the City of Boroondara. The curtains by G.P & J Baker of London use one of the exemplary designs in this manufacturer’s output. The first use of the design was in 1918, following the Great War, and the design is said to reflect the hope for peace which was a feature of the postwar years. The curtains are an early example of the Paradise Bird design, and were block printed. A pair of curtains originally situated in one of the front reception rooms of 'Tourmont' in Balwyn Road, Balwyn (now Fintona Girls’ School). The fabric in the curtains was manufactured by the English firm of GP&J Baker. The textile design is variably named as ‘Paradise Bird’ or more recently, ‘Hydrangea Bird’. Turner’s bird perches in a blossoming branch directly above a woodpecker, which is an attribute of Mars, god of war. Thus the design reads as a symbolic statement where War is reversed and Paradise returns (a hopeful message at the end of WWI). “Paradise Bird” has been in continuous production since its creation. . curtains, fabric design, historic buildings

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977.Original sample of nineteenth century wallpaper from one of the earliest homes in Kew (Victoria).Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. These two samples of light brown Victorian-period wallpaper were overprinted with flowers and leaves that are outlined in maroon. Flowers and foliage are painted in blue of varying intensity, giving the impression of being hand painted. The style of this wallpaper would have been suited to a bedroom or drawing room.wallpaper, samuel cocking, reno, st john's parade, kew

The 13th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. The regiment took pride in their inauspicious number and adopted the nickname 'the Devil's Own' and wore a black ostrich plume in their hats. The regiment also obtained an unofficial badge featuring a dancing devil. A rare example of a plume worn in military headdress in World War One. It is well provenanced. in good condition and complete.Framed set of ostrich plumes in light black wooden frame with glass front."Original issue plumes as issued to 13 Light Horse Regt prior to the introduction of Emu plumes. Presented by 13 ALH (AIF) Assn"13th light horse, military, light horse, wwi

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. The regiment was still horse mounted in 1937 when this trophy was awarded to the Mansfield Troop. Fine example of a trophy awarded to a Citizen Military Forces sub-unit drawn from a country town in northeast Victoria prior to WWII. Silver cup with no handles and bakelite base being a trophy for snap shooting in 20th Light Horse Regiment.20th Light Horse Regiment Shoot / Snap Shooting / won by / Mansfield Troop / 1937mansfield, shooting, light horse, 20th

Major Robert Morrison served with 8/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles 1979-1990. In his civilian occupation he was a TV and radio announcer. He served as commentator at numerous military functions including the Tattoo.Circular decorative silver place mat, engraved at centre, with plastic base" Major R.N. Morrison 1979 - 1990"morrison, vmr, mess

It was common for staff and members of the 8/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles to present a parting gift to the mess.Circular decorative silver place mat engraved at centre, with plastic base" Presented by WO 1 D.J. Roberts February 1982 "military, mess, roberts