Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). The common name "castor oil", from which the plant gets its name, probably comes from its use as a replacement for castoreum, a perfume base. Castor oil was a common remedy for various ailments in the early 20th century.These bottles reflect the developments in health care during the first half of the 20th century. There is also an aesthetic element, the shapes, colour and textures of the bottles are visually appealing. Two castor oil bottles. Both tall and blue. 246.2 has a label. Both have screw tops and both still have castor oil in them.246.2 front - medallion label - Groves McVitty & Co Pty Ltd castor oil. 246.1 front Burnsides Castor oil. Bottom -J443castor-oil bottle groves-mcvitty burnside medicine glass

This walking stick or club is of a heavy quality and could be classified as an Irish shillelagh, although it lacks the heavy curved knob at the top that characterizes the shillelagh. It does not seem typical of the walking sticks used in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries although it appears to date from those times. It may have come from an overseas country.This walking stick has no known local provenance but it is an interesting item and is kept as a curio from the past.This is a piece of black wood (blackthorn?) shaped from a gnarled and knotted piece of wood to make a rough, curved shape. The shaft is rounded at the top and tapering to a smaller round shape at the bottom. The top has a brass-coloured metal band.walking sticks, household items, warrnambool

These buttons are from a nursing uniform (England and Wales). They were made for the General Nursing Council for England and Wales by the firm of Boyd Cooper. This business was established in England in 1780 and is still making uniforms and other items for hospitals etc. The buttons belonged to Edith Henry, a member of a well-known Warrnambool family in 19th and 20h century WarrnamboolThese buttons are of interest as they are a good example of buttons used on nursing uniforms in England early in the 20th century and they belonged to Edith Henry, a member of a prominent Warrnambool family.1 Circular bakelite button with raised Tudor rose, text and scroll around the edge. The reverse has small ring and text. 2. As above but of a smaller size.1 Obverse ENGLAND . AND. WALES Four small dots Reverse BOYD COOPER GEORGE ST. HANOVER SQUARE W1 2 Obverse ENGLAND.AND WALES four small dots. Reverse 100195 buttons, history of warrnambool, nursing buttons

These items are of a high quality and would have come from a household where the occupants had considerable means. It was not common to have silver plating on both of these items. Shaving brushes and strops were essential items for men shaving their faces regularly until the mid to late 20th century when electric shavers became more common. These two items are attractive ones and are retained because they represent a household item of the past and they are a rare example of a shaving strop enclosed within a case. They will be useful for display. .1 This is an extending razor strop made of brown leather. It has a heavily patterned silver handle attached to the leather by metal studs and it is contained within a cylindrical case of plated silver. The case has a heavily-patterned curved base and top and on one side there is an oval outlined space in which to put initials or an inscription. The case has a handle on one end to match the strop handle but this handle is for hanging the item on a hook to keep it upright and stable. This would then enable the user to pull hard on the other handle to use the strop to sharpen a razor .2 This is a shaving brush made of horsehair or other animal hair. It has a silver-plated handle with a double ridge in the middle. It was used to lather a person’s face or skin with cream or soap to lessen chafing during and after shaving. The silver on both items is a little tarnished. ‘British Made Ziff Sterilised’ ‘Falcon Silver Plate Co. Made in England 3533’ household items, history of warrnambool

This item is a container that would have been used by a woman to hold small items such as pins. It may also have originally contained some lotion or powder but there is no trade name to indicate this. It would have been found in a bedroom. Such items as these would have been given as presents to members of the more affluent families in the early 20th century. This container has no known local provenance but is retained as an attractive item from the past. It will be useful for display.This is a round-shaped cut glass container with a plain glass base and a metal lid which fits over the top of the container. The top of the lid has an enamel circular piece inserted into the metal. This piece has a white background with a painted image of the head and shoulders of a woman in brown and flesh-coloured tonings. The lid has some dents and some discoloration.household items, dressing table containers

. This label comes from the business of William Reed who ran a book and stationery store at 168 Timor Street, Warrnambool for many years in the 20th century. In 1976 advertisements indicated that the shop had been operating for 64 years which brings the establishment date to 1912 One date we have for William Reed's business is 1938 This label is of some importance as William Reed was a prominent business man in Warrnambool in the 20th century.White paper label with blue printing adhered to a piece of grey cardboard. Another label is on the same card.WILLIAM REED BOOKSELLER & STATIONER. 168 Timor Street, Warrnambool "AGE" "SUN" "HERALD" Border and horizontal lines. william reed, warrnambool, bookseller

This label comes from a Patersons Furniture and Home Furnishings Store. This company dates from the early 20th century with the first store in Smith Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne. One of the company’s many branch stores was in Warrnambool, based at 177-179 Liebig Street in the 1960s. At that time Patersons Pty Ltd had 70 branch stores.This label is of minor interest as a memento of a 1960s business in Warrnambool – Patersons Furniture Store.This is a buff-coloured thick card with two corners slightly cut away. It has blue printing and an inserted eyelet for attaching the label by string or cord to a parcel or piece of furniture.From Patersons Pty Ltdfurniture stores, patersons pty ltd, history of warrnambool

This perfume bottle has no known local provenance but ones like this would have been common in ladies' bedrooms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The use of perfume was important in those days of limited access to bathing facilities. Today more modern versions of perfume bottles are still in use though now they are not such a necessary item.This perfume bottle is retained for display purposes only.This is a small glass bottle with a silver-coloured metal attachment at the top forming a lid and a spray mechanism that includes a metal tube that goes into the bottle. The spray mechanism no longer works. The metal sections are tarnished.vintage accessories, warrnambool history

Single lenses were used to assist reading for many centuries before spectacles were widely available. This magnifying lens may be even older than its case. The simple, large glass lens is held in a hand-worked horn or bone rim. The leather case decorated with floral beadwork is typical of northern European styles c1850.This lens is significant for the collection as it is the earliest mounted single lens in the Kett Museum.Large, round, horn-rimmed reading glass, or magnifier lens, incorporating ring-shaped handle. Glass lens in horn or bone rim. Leather slip-in case with floral beadwork.lens, magnifier, reading lens, horn rim, beadwork

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Hand-made crocheted or lace reticule with a long cord and a flap opening. The bag is lined with cream voile. It relies on different kinds of stitching for its decorative effects as well as rosettes and round pom-poms.fashion accessories, clothing accessories, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.An earlier inventory of the collection identified an Eighteenth century French evening bag. While the frame shows some affinities with models of that period, its dating has provisionally been made to the Nineteenth century, until expert advice is sourced.Densely beaded evening bag on a gilded metal frame. The beads are woven in a a variety of abstract and geometric patters, including a cross within an octagon at centre. The bag is held by a white metal chain.evening bags, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- purses, fashion accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of women's fashion accessories, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Black paper, wood and metal cockade fanfashion accessories, fans, cockade fans

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of women's fashion accessories, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. White paper, wood and metal cockade fanfashion accessories, fans, cockade fans

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of women's fashion accessories, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Woman's bone and white paper fan with metal finger ringfashion and textiles collection, fashion accessories, fans, concertina fans, finger rings

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of women's fashion accessories, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Black and white pierced Brisé fan with ebonised wood frame held by a metal ring.fashion accessories, fans, brisé fans

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of women's fashion accessories, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products.Pleated fan. Japanese. Ebonised wood frame with hand-painted decoration of ipomoea flowers, grass and silver using typical Japanese decorative techniques. fashion accessories, fans, concertina fans, japanese fans

This label accompanied a bottle of Dr Bright’s Phosphodyne. It was a form of medicine also known as ozonic oxygen which was developed and patented in 1869 by Dr Charles Bright, a 19th century Resident Surgeon at St Mary’s Hospital London, The medicine claimed to ease ‘indigestion, liver complaints, nervous debility, female complaints, premature decline, local weakness and spermatorrhea’. It was widely sold by chemists throughout Australia in the 19th century and in this case was supplied by the Warrnambool chemist, James Astley Bromfield. He was a significant person in Warrnambool’s history as he produced the 1856 map of the Warrnambool district showing all the original landholders, a seminal resource for historians today. Bromfield had a chemist shop in Warrnambool from 1854 to the late 1880s, initially in Timor Street and then in Liebig Street (number 80 and later number 78). Bromfield was very active in local community affairs. This label is of considerable interest as it shows the use in the 19th century of medicine that today would be labelled ‘quack’. It is of particular interest as it was supplied by James Astley Bromfield’s chemist shop and he is an important early identity in Warrnambool, involved in many activities in the town. He was a Justice of the Peace, a Trustee of the Savings Bank, Chairman of the Western Steam Navigation Company, a Director of the Gasworks and on the committees of the Harbour Committee, the Fire Brigade and the Anglers Protection Society. He was a Warrnambool Councillor (1858-60; 1865-1870) and a Shire Councillor (1875-1883). This is a sheet of paper that accompanied a bottle of Dr Brights’ Phosphodyne medicine. It is buff-coloured with black printed material. It is in two pieces and dog-eared at the edges.warrnambool, dr bright's phosphodyne, james bromfield chemist, warrnambool chemists

This model was used in lectures in the College from the mid 20th century. An ophthalmotrope is a mechanical model constructed to demonstrate the movements of the eyes and the actions of the various muscles which produce them. The first ophthalmotrope was made by Theodore Reute in 1845 and it was he who gave it the name 'ophthalmotrope'. Frans Donders (1818-1889) became interested in eye movements on reading Reute's work, and his subsequent studies were of physiological interest and also provided the basis for principles underlying the correction of squint. Because of the complexity of the actions and counter actions of the eye muscles, ophthalmologists of the 19th century sought a practical solution with the construction of mechanical models. Reute's second model of 1857 was more sophisticated. Its eyeballs contained lenses and the optical system could be moved backwards and forwards to simulate accommodation. Later ophthalmotropes are known by Landolt, Knapp and Snellen.This ophthalmotrope is the one that was used as a teaching aid in the College from the mid 20th century.Brass framed model to illustrate actions of extra-ocular muscles. Two painted wooden globes mounted in brass frame with coloured strings attached to brass weights positioned to show actions of various extra-ocular muscles. Also wooden storage box. Materials: brass, metal, wood, string.optometry, ophthalmology, ophthalmotrope, eye, eye movements, extra ocular muscles, eye muscles, eye teaching

Dressing tables (also known as Vanity Tables in the U.S.A.) have been around since the beginning of the seventeenth century, however it wasn't until the early to mid 20th century that they began to be found in the homes of the middle class and they were often a matching part of a bedroom suite. Dressing tables often featured a variety of objects such as combs, brushes, hand mirrors, perfume bottles, cosmetics, nail buffers, ring holders, jewellery and trinket boxes and trays. The origins of this tray are unknown however its design is reminiscent of trays (and Dressing Table Sets) produced by two English firms in the mid 20th century - "Delina" and "Regent of London". A paper (written by the Warwickshire Industrial Archeology Society) notes that the products items produced by "Regent of London" in the 1940's "satisfied a demand for previously unattainable items, offered to the general public aching for change after wartime privations, post war austerity and years of having to 'make do and mend'." This tray is composed of several decorative elements and materials. The metal border is gilt brass with two filigree bow handles, the main part of the tray is two pieces of circular glass and the encased doily is a mix of embroidered net and petit point. It was suggested in the paper written by the Warwickshire Industrial Archeological Society that the different pieces would have probably been produced elsewhere and brought to the factory to be assembled into the finished product. This vanity or dressing table tray is significant as it is a rare example of an accessory available to and used by women in the mid 20th century. It is also significant as an example of an everyday household item which would have been a valued possession and was made in a style that reflected the importance placed on it to be decorative as well as functional.Round footed dressing table tray with a gilt brass border, filigree bow handles and an embroidered net and petit point doily encased in glass. The gilt border is decorated with a stylized leaf design on the side and a floral design on the top. The petit point embroidery in the center is of five flowers in pink, mauve and yellow surrounded by buds and leaves.vanity tray, dressing table tray, glass tray, gilt brass, petit point, embroidery, net embroidery, doily, filigree, brass tray, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill museum and village, domestic object, dressing table

This is the stamp used by Ernest Phillips to mark his tools and his products. It was used both on wood and metal surfaces. Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924) was born in Warrnambool and was apprenticed as a cabinet maker at the Warrnambool Box Works. By the 1890s he had established a furniture shop at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets and by the beginning of the 20th century he had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside of Melbourne. His products were sold all over Australia. He and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street and today this site is occupied by the flats complex for senior citizens called ‘Heatherlie’. This stamp is of interest because it belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent Warrnambool businessman (late 1800s to the early 1900s.) It is also of interest as an example of an early name stamp. This is a small piece of metal with a rounded flange top and a wider flattened end. The end is serrated and cut to hold the letters, ‘E. Phillips’. Some white paint has been splashed on the end section.‘E.Phillips’ (letters reversed for stamping purposes)ernest phillips, history of warrnambool

Milk glass is an opaque or translucent, milk white or colored glass that can be blown or pressed into a wide variety of shapes. First made in Venice in the 16th century, colors include blue, pink, yellow, brown, black, and white. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_glass#:~:text=Milk%20glass%20is%20an%20opaque,brown%2C%20black%2C%20and%20white.The ointment smells faintly of tar, so it was proberly used to alleviate irritation of some sort.White glass container with brown ointment inside which is now almost dried up. Black screw lid, and no label to indicate contents. Indented base.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, milk glass, ointment, medical

No information is available regarding this item and it is not known who ‘H.W.’ is. Silver serviettes such as this one were common household items and common wedding presents in the early 20th century. The fact that this one is silver and is monogrammed suggests that it came from an affluent family. It may have been one of a set. Serviette rings are still used today, especially for formal dining occasions. This item is of interest in that it is an example of dining customs in the early 20th century. It is a display item.This is a circular silver object used to hold a folded serviette. It has four hallmarks which indicate it is British made and it has a monogram, ‘H.W.’ It is slightly tarnished and has some small dents. ‘H.W.’ (or ‘W.H.’)serviette ring, warrnambool

This ink well is of the type used in the 19th and 20th centuries as a container for ink. Because of its smallness it is presumed it was used in a household or small business. Pens and ink wells were used in writing up to about 1950 when fountain pens became more common and the ink was stored more in bottles or cartridges. The advent of the ballpoint pen eliminated the need for ink. This is a green-tinted glass container with a rectangular body and a smaller rectangular neck with an open top. The top of the container near the neck is ridged. The opening is chipped and partly broken off. ‘3’vintage household items, warrnambool

This iron chaff cutter was a vital piece of rural machinery especial for cattle in areas subjected to limited grass growing seasons. The Kiewa Valley and Alpine regions were up to the 21st century "snowed" in. The conditions requiring summer crops and fodder to be prolonged for the harsh winter climate are now becoming less and less and may confirm the precursor of "global warming". The Kiewa Valley is still a strong base for dairy cattle and other stock requiring all year access to hay/grass supplies. The use of, now defunct, Tobacco drying sheds for the storage of hay and other fodder is typical of the Australian farmer/grazier's adaptability to utilise anything available. To think outside the square.Black Iron Chaff Cutter. The wheel has a single piece inside with 4 curved spokes with adjustable blades attached by 4 screws & 3 rivets. The wheel has a wooden handle. Operated by cogs. HOCKING GREASE BALLARAT COGS FREELYagriculture, farm machinery, stock feeding, grazier, farm animals

This fine white unglazed porcelain figurine is one of six donated together. The bisque material was easy to carve and allowed fine detail. Figurine ornaments were popular for table decorations between the mid-18th to early 19th centuries. This ornament was made in Germany, and German manufacturers began to use bisque material to make realistic faces for dolls in the 1850s.The set of six bisque figurines is representative of popular table decorations during the 19th and early 20th centuries.Fine unglazed white porcelain ornament, carved to represent a boy holding a basket on his back. One of a pair, the other being a girl holding a basket on her back. The hollow basket is a vase. It was made in Germany. No 0847. Marked "0847" "GERMANY GASP"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, bisque, china ornament, white china ornament, german, porcelain, unglazed porcelain, 19th century, 18th century, european ornament, pottery, unglazed pottery, domestic ornament, decoration, table decoration, germany, boy with basket, vase

This fine white unglazed porcelain figurine is one of six donated together. The bisque material was easy to carve and allowed fine detail. Figurine ornaments were popular for table decorations between the mid-18th to early 19th centuries. This ornament was likely made in Germany, and German manufacturers began to use bisque material to make realistic faces for dolls in the 1850s.The set of six bisque figurines is representative of popular table decorations during the 19th and early 20th centuries.Figurine; unglazed white porcelain ornament, hollow inside. It is carved to represent an angel with two children, a boy and a girl. The surface is decorated with tiny gold balls and the angel wears a gold tiara. There are remnants of gold, orange, green and brown paint. No 1914. "1914"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, bisque, china ornament, white china ornament, german, porcelain, unglazed porcelain, 19th century, 18th century, european ornament, pottery, unglazed pottery, domestic ornament, decoration, table decoration, figurine, angel figurine, germany, angel with children

This fine white unglazed porcelain figurine is one of six donated together. The bisque material was easy to carve and allowed fine detail. Figurine ornaments were popular for table decorations between the mid-18th to early 19th centuries. This ornament was likely made in Germany, and German manufacturers began to use bisque material to make realistic faces for dolls in the 1850s.The set of six bisque figurines is representative of popular table decorations during the 19th and early 20th centuries.Fine unglazed white porcelain ornament, hollow inside. It is carved to represent a peasant girl and goat with a vase shaped like a tree stump in the background. The ornament has remnants of gold, red, brown and green paint. There is an inscription on the base."3943:warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, ornament, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, bisque, china ornament, white china ornament, german, germany, porcelain, unglazed porcelain, 19th century, 18th century, european ornament, pottery, unglazed pottery, domestic ornament, decoration, table decoration, girl and goat, vase

This fine white glazed porcelain figurine is one of six donated together. The bisque material was easy to carve and allowed fine detail. Figurine ornaments were popular for table decorations between the mid-18th to early 19th centuries. This ornament was likely made in Germany, and German manufacturers began to use bisque material to make realistic faces for dolls in the 1850s.The set of six bisque figurines is representative of popular table decorations during the 19th and early 20th centuries.Fine glazed white porcelain ornament, carved to represent three children sitting on three brick fence pillars. There are gold highlights on the surface. The hats on the children are vases. An inscription is on the base of the centre pillar."6946"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, bisque, china ornament, white china ornament, german, germany, porcelain, unglazed porcelain, 19th century, 18th century, european ornament, pottery, unglazed pottery, domestic ornament, decoration, table decoration, children on a fence, vase, candle holder

A greeting card for Christmas and New Year. The photograph, 'Murray Views No. 26. Memorial, St Kilda. Vic', appears to have been taken in the mid 20th century. Murray Views was established in 1929 by photographer Fred Murray in Gympie, Queensland, initially to supply postcards of local views. The company soon expanded its reach through Queensland and interstate.Cream coloured card, folded into three sections, and printed in brown. A black and white photograph of St Kilda War Memorial is affixed to the first section. The message 'May the Joys of the CHRISTMAS SEASON remain with you throughout the NEW YEAR', and a drawn image of Santa Claus waving from a chimney, are printed on the third section. murray views, st kilda