The elaborate fancy cotton braid known as Cornelli work on this jacket is a technique of embroidery or applique of cotton thread and braid that became popular in the nineteenth century. It was used on French doll's clothing where elaborate the Cornelli wear was stitched on for decoration. The examples used in this family also included that on men's railway uniforms and bandsmen's uniforms. This jacket belonged to Eleanor Burke (nee McKew) Mrs Mary Taffe's mother and came to Hymettus at Ballarat when she arrived here to live from Donald with husband Michael in 1945.This jacket displays elaborate fancy cotton stitching and braid known as Cornelli work, a technique of embroidery or applique of cotton thread and braid that became popular in the nineteenth century. This lady's jacket is a good example of a style popular at the end of the nineteenth, early twentieth century.

City of Ballarat Band official photograph on winning the championship brass band contests at Ballarat.Inscribed in biro on back of card mount, "Michael Taffe 2nd back row 2nd from right."

Australian cedar music canterbury and adjustable music stand circa 1900 maker unknown.

The photograph records the Bacchus Marsh team in 1931 with captain being Michael Taffe from Ballarat. Taffe was Assistant Station Master Bacchus Marsh at the time and the photograph records the importance of such sojourners in the community as well as the actual players.Photograph mounted on board with top caption (missing in image) reading "Bacchus Marsh Football Association Football Club 1931 and names written in on mounting board beneath image. Second footballer from right back row has moved blurring his image.Inscribed in ink to board above image: Bacchus Marsh Football Association Football Club 1931 and below the image the names of the players including captain and vice captain.

music, taffe, cornet

A simple Edwardian mirrored hallstand made of Australian Blackwood a popular feature of Australian cottage hallways in the early 20th century following on from similar furniture of the 19th century.edwardian, hallstand, australian, cottage, hallways, blackwood, mirror.

Chip carving was a popular hobby/pastime from the arts and crafts movement of the 1890s and remained a popular folk art until the 1920s.This is an example of a popular folk art hand-carved chair made in Australia in the early twentieth century.Hand-carved timber chair, by an unknown enthusiast in the Warrnambool area. Made using the 'chip carving' technique, with whorls and star design in relief on the seat. The timber finish has been given an ebonised tone. Chip carvings

From a large set of dispensary jars with stoppers from Ballarat chemist Palmer. Palmer

An inscribed presentation mounted photographic portrait of A. Le Mesurier Australian champion bandsman and trombonist in 1915 to a young Ballarat boy, fourteen year old Michael Taffe who later became Australian champion junior cornet soloist.Script printed on front mounting board Richards & Co Ballarat. Inscribed on back of mounting board, "To my little "mascot" Michael Taffe, Wishing you and yours the "Compliments of the Season". from Yours Sincerely A. Le Mesurier. Xmas, 1915.le mesurier, taffe, ballarat trombone, south street competitions, australian band championships.

A Kodak Photograph folder of snapshots of rowing crew images from the 1956 Olympic Games at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat.

The large free standing clockwork gramophone was a popular source of family entertainment in the first half of the twentieth century.A large free-standing gramophone with two lids and four doors to front. One lid accesses turntable and a second for storage while the front doors open to the speaker for volume control on the right and record storage on the left. gramophone, clockwork, entertainment, twentieth century.

This register records items dispensed from the chemist from 1943 until 1947 together with names and prices.Larger ledger printed and bound by Berry Anderson & Co bookbinders and stationers Ballarat. Ledger contains 78 pages double rulled down centre of each page with a further 26 unpaginated indexed pages following.handwritten throughout.pharmacy, chemist, prescriptions, drugs, ballarat, palmer

The Kodak No2A folding autographic Brownie was introduced by the Eastman Kodak Co in 1915 and several variants were produced between 1915 and 1925. There is a door in the back,and a stylus for writing on the back of the film for labelling the negatives. A Christmas present from her parents to Mary Burke (Taffe) in 1928. Basic bellows or folding camera unusual for its time because the lens is behind the shutter. There is a screw thread in front of the shutter for additional 'portrait' lenses. Base of the box has 691162 inscribed in pencil (possibly a stock number) followed by £3/9/6 and Xmas Eve 1928 in blue ink indicating its price and date of presentation. This is followed in pencil by a later signature M.Taffe.camera, mary burke, donald, ballarat,

Original owner's signature, Charles Sartori on front free endpaper.

The decorative art-nouveau style leadlight side and transom lights were a popular form of entrance lighting set into recessed panels in late Victorian homes at Ballarat. This home built by local architect/builder Thomas Turton features these popular glass lights.The side and transom lights at Hymettus form part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective and popular art and architecture movements at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. They contribute to our understanding of social and family life in twentieth century Ballarat and providing interpretative capacity for family, local, art, architecture and social history themes.ballarat architects and architecture,, hymettus, taffe, art nouveau, leadlight

A small domestic bookcase with adjustable shelves made by A. H. Harris of Ballarat. The firm was created at Ballarat in 1928 and became notable for making church furniture including the fitting out of St Therese' on Wendouree Pde Ballarat. This is an early small piece made for the home in an Arts and Crafts style.A.H.Harris & Sons.stamped into rear of shelf.

Hecla electric kettle manufactured in Australia.

Silk ceremonial collar of Mr A. Burke St Arnaud who was a member of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society (HACBS).hibernian, australasian, hacbs, st arnaud, victoria, burke, ceremonial, collar.

Photograph of Ballarat Rowing Club house on Lake Wendouree in 1901 with crowds celebrating the finish of an event at the annual rowing regatta..photograph, lake wendouree, rowing,lake wendouree, ballarat, regatta, 1901.

Rare event of eighteen rowing eights lined up for start of race at Ballarat's Lake Wendouree in March 1948.Ballarat Regatta March 1948 Start of eighteen maiden eights won by Wendouree, in ink on verso.

Nineteenth century brass bookstand or table lectern used to hold book for reading or display purpose often deemed an essential item for the nineteenth and early twentieth century library. Also used as altar lectern in church items. This example was purchased to enhance reading in a household private library and also used to display books when on loan in the public domain in libraries and other repositories.brass, bookstand, book-rest, altar lectern, reading, library, display, 19th century. church.

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, This example was commissioned from Andrew Thomas a Ballarat photographer and designer by Michael Taffe owner of Hymettus at Ballarat in the 1990s and is a computer assisted design. It incorporates the generational family home, Hymettus and the family coat of arms with the owner's signature.Bookplate depicts "Hymettus", a weatherboard cottage behind a paling fence.Signature of M. J. Taffe.ballarat, bookplate, hymettus, taaffe, taffe, andrew thomas

Pokerwork was a popular home craft in the 1930s. This small domestic piece using plywood is typical of objects made at home or school in that period.One of two matching circular pieces of ply, Incised, painted and lacquered with holes top and bottom for ties with image of Kookaburra and leaves. Incised to lower centre of cover 'd'oyleys'.painted and lacquered with image of Kookaburra and leaves and Incised to lower centre of cover 'd'oyleys'.mary burke, donald, taffe, ballarat, pokerwork, craft

This is volume 1 of 45 held in the library at Hymettus cottage and bound in covers as a book, one of three volumes incorporating every edition in the series.. Life Australia was produced at Melbourne Victoria in 1967 and ran to 45 volumes when closed by the parent company in the USA in 1968. Although very American in the views espoused it was a significant step in attempting to produce a magazine of international focus in Australia. The brief period was also significant in Australia and the magazine covered events such as the Beatles visit to Australia, the seven day war in Israel, the conflict in Vietnam and the drowning of Prime Minister Harold Holt.The magazine, Life, was cosmopolitan and sophisticated in the USA and the Australian edition was identical in format, although fussing on local perspectives. it concentrated on serious current affairs and more profound cultural and political analysis, as well as a strong focus on fashion, lifestyle and nature. It was known for its striking front covers and high quality, stylized photography. and the local product lasted through 1967-68 producing 45 editions before ceasing and reverting to the International product.harold holt, vietnam war, australia, life australia magazine, melbourne, the beatles

The Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society was formed at Ballarat in 18 and William Taffe was Ballarat President in 1940 when presented with this mounted and framed photograph and photo-lithographic certificate.Thornton Richards & Co Ballarat inscribed on mounting board. Details of the subject, W.J.Taffe written in on the certificate.

Bookmark from the period of the Great War possibly sent to someone serving overseas with inscribed message from Australia.Inset watercolour of gum tree with inscription "Greetings from Australia" and on the reverse of image "1915-1916 from Marjorie".

A romance novel set in colonial Victoria and written by Matilda Dixie (Goldstraw) prominent early Ballarat personality who established Queens College Ballarat in 1877. Written and published in 1894 under the pseudonym of Noel Hope.matilda dixie, goldstraw, queens college, ballarat, noel hope.

Example of wood work and woodgraining popular in 1901 when the room was decorated. Mantel and mantel surround of pine turned and carved with this central panel beneath the mantel shelf all woodgrained in an oak finish.Fireplace surround featuring under-mantel panel with decorative carved acanthus leaves in urn with a rose at each extremity all in a woodgrain finish.woodgrain, decoration, mantel, oak finish, pine