The Buddhist monk Guangqia visited Karl Duldig’s studio on two consecutive days, in the company of the noted Chinese writer, Professor Yu Dafu, a friend of Karl’s. Karl made two portraits of the monk, the first depicting him sitting, and the second in a standing pose. The portraits were drawn using a Chinese brush and Indian ink. Surviving sketches in the Studio’s collection indicate that Karl thought about creating a life-size sculpture later on, but this was not realised. Guangqia added inscriptions in his own hand to both drawings and stamped them with a red seal. The seated drawing has an inscription in which he quoted from a Buddhist poem, ‘A Contented Mind’ by the scholar Lingfeng of Mt Tiantai. In the summer I went to visit the Austrian sculptor Duldig with Professor Yu Da Fu. My virtue is slight – I cannot accept your offerings and gifts; I am amply rewarded by the clouds and springs. Rather than a table laden with pearl-like rice, I prefer the wind and leaves falling on my bed. Sitting quietly on my meditation cushion Is sweeter than the wheat offered by a thousand families. The pity is that I am gradually growing old; My bitter journey is not worthy of your offerings. The second drawing has a quote from a Buddhist poem on the study of Chán (Zen) Buddhism, by the famed Chán master, Dàjiàn Huìnéng (638–713): The portrait, with its figure positioned on a scroll-like ground and inscription is reminiscent of traditional Zen Buddhist portraiture. In this school of portraiture, which stretched back to at least the thirteenth century, monks were depicted sitting or standing facing the viewer, and typically the monk added an autographic inscription to the portrait. The portraits were often passed from master to disciple, continuing the disciples’ journey of spiritual enlightenment and were revered for their association with remarkable or holy priests. The Buddhist monk, Guangqai who added his inscription and stamp to the drawings would most certainly have been aware of this tradition. It is likely that Karl was aware of this tradition, one of the points where the studio’s collections of art works from Singapore intersect with the earlier Viennese collections can be found in the Library where a catalogue of an exhibition, 'Ausstellung Ostasiatischer Malerie und Graphik' is held. The Viennese Friends of Asian Art and Culture and the Albertina Museum staged this exhibition of East Asian painting and graphic works in 1932. Such was the internationalism of Duldig’s education in Vienna, that adaption to a new environment and culture in the Straits Settlement was swift, and he was able to interpret the artistic traditions of the place, and make them his own. It is part of the strength of the collection, that in many cases contemporary supporting documentation for the works of art is available. In this case there is a photograph of the Monk with Yu Ta-fu, and Karl and Eva Duldig, outside the studio at the time the drawings were made. Ann Carew 2016The portraits of Guangqai have national and international aesthetic significance. The works of art demonstrate the artist’s skill in capturing the physical appearance and demeanour of his subject, and his ability to adapt his working methods to incorporate traditional Asian materials and cultural practices. The portrait is one of few examples in Melbourne of a central European modernist artists working in, and engaging with Asia, during this period and it is culturally and aesthetically significant for this reason. The portraits are also historically interesting in documenting the life and experiences of Karl Duldig in the Straits Settlement (Singapore). Ann Carew 2016Brush drawing in chinese ink on paper. Seated Buddhist Monk. Chinese calligraphy hand written in black ink. Two red stamps under calligraphy.Signed Karl Duldig in l.r. corner. Dated Singapore 1940 in l.l. corner.

Mary-Lou began exhibiting in the mid 1980s and over the years has been involved in producing unique pieces as well as developing a large range of domestic ware. In 1984, six months after graduating from a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Phillip Institute of Technology, Mary-Lou was invited to present a solo exhibition at Devise Gallery in South Melbourne. This objective, she says, compelled her to find a studio and was an incentive to focus on developing her ceramic practice independently.Mary-Lou Pittard holds close ties to the Shire of Nillumbik - living and working within Eltham. Her Eltham North Mudbrick Studio employed 5 assistants until recently when Mary-Lou and partner Chris Pittard have scaled down operations. They now produce everything themselves and find that this enables them to focus on producing unique, sculptural ceramic works. Mary-Lou is currently exploring the fine qualities of porcelain and combining these with her ongoing passion for decorative colour and form. 'Decorative Bowl' is a wheel-thrown/moulded bowl, oblong in shape and has been manipulated by hand. Narrow sections have been incised from the main body, perhaps a practical design feature for air circulation, and the rim has been altered to form a jagged edge. Bold colourful shapes decorate the interior of the bowl. They have been applied directly to the bisque surface and subsequently covered with a transparent glaze which protects them and enhances their permanency.mary-lou pittard, ceramic, chris pittard, eltham, nillumbik

'Tiles from the Boomerang Studio' is a prototype of the work 'Year 2052', created while Mooney was an Artist in Resident at Laughing Waters in the Boomerang studio in 2002. Records of flora were collected in and around the Gordon Ford garden in Laughing Waters Road. The work 'Year 2052' is made up of '77' tiles and was acquired by Geelong (Regional) Art Gallery in 2003. Whilst working at the Boomerang studio, local based artist Mooney noticed that “a battle raged in the bush between non-indigenous plants and indigenous plants”. She also noticed how humans “invade” land, changing the surrounding environment and causing irreversible damage. This work is an interpretation of the fragility and value of Nillumbik’s indigenous flora and of its conflict with introduced species. The title of the work (Year 2052) and look of these ‘fossilised specimens’ asks viewers to cast themselves into the future and to look back at today. “These tiles have been found; an incomplete record of flora collected in and around the Gordon Ford garden in Laughing Waters Road. The tiles appear to have been made at the beginning of the millennium. The viewer is asked to contemplate which species are missing”. Mooney works with collected indigenous items to emphasis the beauty of their natural shapes, while at the same time introducing selected materials of contrast or sympathy. Her work creates a great sense of “stillness and peace, of simplicity and connection with the natural world as well at the vanishing Australian bush.”This work is made up of seven handbuilt earthenware oval/round clay 'tiles' - (eight pieces - with one tile intentionally broken), brown in colour and bisque and blackware fired, giving a matt black ash coating on each of the tiles' surface. Each tile has an imprint of a floral specimen indigenous to the Laughing Waters area in Eltham. Each tile has an imprint of the following specimens: tiles, earthenware, flora, indigenous, bisque, boomerang, ford, laughing waters

In the early 1970s, Arthur Boyd bought and restored a large, two-storey traditional farmhouse called Il Paretaio. Situated on the crest of a hill and surrounded by fields and olive groves, it is five kilometres from the village of Palaia in the province of Pisa, Tuscany. Boyd established this farmhouse as a residency programme, (which was later managed by the Australia Council). The residency program ended in 1990. Anthony Pryor undertook an Australia Council residency at Paretaio in 1984. This work is one in a series made during his time there. This work was entered into the Shire of Eltham Art Award in 1985.Pryor is an artist of national significance. This work is an example of his series of 'boxes' made principally for his own pleasure and often swapped with artists and other friends as soon as they were finished. The 'box' series was part inspired by Japanese techniques of wooden construction. Pryor first visited Japan in 1975 and was immediately drawn to Japanese methods of working with stone and wood. Many of these boxes are based upon the principles of the Japanese Zen Buddhist monk Sengai Gibon (1750-1838). This work relates to Sengai's famous hanging scroll Circle, Triangle and Square in which the circle can be read to stand for the cosmos, the square for the individual, and the triangle for aspiration. A heavy, box-like (cube) structure created from huon pine, with bronze, brass and stone elements. Within the cube is an eastern inspired, rear lattice wall in combination with bronze domestic fittings, and symbols (cube, pyramid and circle). Metal lightning, clouds and wooden rainbow hover over an asymmetrical bronze bed floating within the cube. A chair leans and a tilting ladder reaches towards the sky. Stamped into wood: lower right 'ANTHONY PRYOR PARETAIO'huon pine, pryor, brass, bronze, stone, cube, paretaio, italy, eastern, japan, sengai gibon, symbols, zen buddhism, sculpture, personal

This artwork was a finalist in the 1987 Shire of Eltham Art Awards. The materials Cowcher has chosen constitute different transformations of earth - stone, sand (fired into glass), bamboo and dried grass. The work is a sign of the artist's passion in working with these materials and 'packaging' them into an aesthetic composition that connect and dance with one another.Three purple glass objects in the form of pine cones, held together by raffia, resting on a large slab of white stone. N/A

B/W Photo of two men standing on metal framework of an ore crusher

Group photograph of staff at Dennys Lascelles Ltd in 1917.Photograph, sepia. Group portrait of five rows of men, seated and standing, outside the Dennys Lascelles building. Mounted on dark cream mat with printed red decoration. Handwritten inscriptions in biro on reverse of mat.DOUGLAS WILSON / RUPERT WILSON (SON) 16YRS OLD AT TIME (JUST STARTED WORK) / BORN 21/5/01 / Dennys Lascelles Ltd / 1917. / Harold Wilson featured centre age 47yrs. / (BORN 5/5/1870) / (DIED 1943 AGE 73 YRS) / (WAS 25 YRS OLD WHEN RETIRED-RESIGNED AS VICE CAPTAIN / GEELONG FOOTBALL CLUB IN 1895) / he was 31 yrs of age when Rupert (son) was borntextile industry - history wool stores - staff wool stores, dennys, lascelles limited, textile industry - history, wool stores - staff, wool stores, working life

Gramophone record used in the mending room of the Foster Valley Mill.Gramophone record - Outside of that I love you & I wonder what's become of Sally. Housed in a brown paper sleeve bound in a orange folder with a blue spine.textile mills staff, valley worsted mill, textile mills - staff, gramophone, record, foster va, foster valley mill pty ltd, mending, working life

Bought for collection from Op ShopAfternoon Tea apron trimmed with 7cm lace border. Also with four insertions of lace panels in frontcostume, female working

Apron was used during 1950's by donor's aunt, Myrtle BennettCirca 1950 floral cotton button through coverall. Has 2 pockets trimmed with purple braid. Sleeveless, trimmed at arm holes and neck edge with purple braid. Six white buttonscostume, female working

not knownCalico hand embroidered apron with two patch pockets. Blue bias binding neck loop, ties and edging on apron and pockets. Embroidery - young woman in full length blue gown with red trim at neckline, hem and cuffs of short sleeves. 1940's hair style. Flowers in hair and at waistline. Standing on a flower decorated balcony.costume, female working, handcrafts, embroidery

Embroidered black apron, front is shiny satin, reverse matt satin. Machine scalloped edging. Machine embroidered leaves and flowers in autumnal colours. Apron tied with satin ribbon.costume, female working

The Singer sewing machine was purchased [in New Plymouth, NZ] by the donor, Yvonne's, parents as a birthday/Christmas present when she was about six or maybe a little older – therefore about 1935. Much, much later, in the 1960s, it was given to her daughter, Susan, who like Yvonne seldom used it because if the seam was not correctly tied off the whole seam unravelled.Singer sewing machine and original box. Intended as girls sewing machine to teach them to make dolls clothes. Metal with Singer logo and clamp to secure to table top, with appropriate needles.Singerdomestic items, sewing

These aprons were very popular in the 1990's.As used to 1990'sCream calico waist apron. Material doubled to make deep pocket for clothes pegs. Pocket hem and waist band trimmed in green cotton; painted design on front, consisting of clothes line, the words, 'Pegs' and 'Clothes on line'.costume, female working

Part of collection of handcraft and needle work donated by Anne BarryCross stitch embroidery practiced during the 30's, 40's and 50's; very popular and became an art.Blue and white check, trimmed around hem, sides, waistband and pocket. White Ric Rac braid, blue cross stitch block embroidered on waist band and top of pocket. Red cross stitch with yellow centre flowers across front of apron, divided by blue cross stitch block.costume, female working

Part of a collection of handcraft and needlework donated by Anne BarryCross stitch embroidery was popular and widely practised during the periods of the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's. It became an art formGreen and white gingham apron, cross stitched in black, yellow, red and orange diamond pattern, with a line of cross stitch at border. One pocket of white with ric-rac edgingcostume, female working

Part of Bette Jones collectionDeep beige linen apron with bib. Bib and skirt embroidered with flowers and leaves in pinks and greens. Apron edged and trimmed with cotton lace. No straps, so either designed to be pinned on or unfinished.costume, female working

Coat was issued by The Gas & Fuel Company to Phil Bennett who was employed by them during 1960's. Phil Bennett was an uncle of Society Member, Bob Gardiner.Man's full length, (OS) raincoat with metal press stud closings and two flap pocketsDIC. Driclad Industrial Clothingcostume, male working

Purchased by member for Society CollectionWhite cotton hand embroidered designs and two pockets. Has brown binding around edges and pockets. Embroidered floral design on pockets and cross stitch Chinese lanterns at bottom of aproncostume, female working

The bedspread (NA2862) and apron were owned by Maria Austin (born 25 August 1867 Buried at Box Hill Cemetery 15 November 1955) and used when she worked as a 'Nanny' in England. Many of the children she cared for kept in touch with her after she came to Australia with her family in 1914. They arrived on Show Day, 1914 on the last ship to leave England before the First World War was declared. She lived at 26 Nelson Road Box Hill now the site of the Box Hill R.S.L. Maria was born 25 August in 18?? and died in 1952 and is buried in the Box Hill Cemetery. She was the Great Aunt of the donor.White bib front apron with ties to back of neck - wide waist band ties - 12 cm hem line - also three 2cm pin tucks above hem line - two 12cm pin tucks at top of bib front. Pocket on right hand side.M Austin. 1.2.1901|Laundry mark in red 59costume, female working

Hand embroidered calico apron. Embroidered with lady in blue with flower arrangement. Bound with blue bias binding, two pockets, and cotton tape ties.domestic items, sewing, costume accessories, female, costume, female working

Belonged to Jessie Rees, the donors grandmother.Green calico apron embroidered with a lady in green frock with yellow hat, a kookaburra sitting on a wattle bough and a waratah on the pocket with heath and wattle. Bound with green bias binding.domestic items, sewing, costume, female working

Cream calico apron embroidered with a lady in pink gown with a palm tree and flowers on fence. Apron is not finished or bound.domestic items, sewing, costume, female working

Black satin apron with hand painted border. Two buttons at waist.costume, female working

6th May 2009 A large earthenware figure of a spaniel made in the 19th century in Staffordshire and used as a fireside ornament. Also referred to as Staffordshire dogs. They were purchased by errant husbands to comfort irate wives.|Stoke, Burslem, Hanley, Longton and Tunstall were known as the “Five Towns” of the Staffordshire potteries. In the 19th century there were more than 1000 firms working at various times, amongst them Wedgwood, Spode and Ridgway. Largely because of Josiah Wedgwood and the canal system, and later the railways English ceramics spread far and wide. A vast export trade to the Americas and India was from the port of Liverpool. Staffordshire became the pottery supplier of the World. Most factories made figures and tea and dinner sets.|The Comforter Dogs were copied and made by more than one pottery.Staffordshire dog - no makers mark. Right foot cracked. Repair on ear. Some cracks on body.ceramics, porcelain, ornaments

From the Till collectionCream calico bib apron. Floral trim across top of bib. Waist tie and floral trim on pockets. Cream lace trim around edge of apron.costume, female, costume, female working