The Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese workshops) established by Josef Hoffman and Kolomon Moser in 1903 are today celebrated for their work in promoting the involvement of artists, designers and craftspeople in the manufacture of home furnishings; however Sigmund Járay’s firm was also an important, although today lesser-known, Viennese manufacturer of Kunstmöbel (art furniture). An Austro-Hungarian designer of Jewish descent, Sigmund Járay (1838-1908) established his Kunstmöbelfabrik (art furniture factory) in Vienna in the 1870s in partnership with his brother Sándro Járay (1845-1916), a sculptor. The firm with its team of cabinet makers, modellers, sculptors, upholsterers, painters and gilders, manufactured bespoke furnishings and decorated interiors for public and private clients, including the Imperial court. Such was the prominence of the work of this factory, that in 1899 one of the first purchases of the newly formed Austrian Museum of Applied art was a suite of furniture designed by Sigmund Járay for a married worker. In commissioning the furniture, Slawa was adopting the custom of Viennese couples to furnish their homes with bespoke furniture from the interior design firms that flourished in early 20th century in Vienna. Comparative material is held in the National Gallery of Victoria collection; a suite of furniture by Josef Hoffman commissioned by the Gallia family in 1912; and a suite of furniture by Adolf Loos commissioned by the Langer family in 1903. Ann Carew 2016The bedroom suite is aesthetically significant for the quality of its craftsmanship and design. It is a significant example of domestic interior design in Vienna during the 1930s. The bedroom suite is intact, and has been preserved in its entirety – double bed and side tables, wardrobe and linen press, stool and day bed. It has the potential to be displayed in situ in the place where it was last in use. It is of historical significance. Many Jewish families had all their possessions lost or destroyed during the war years. The story of the furniture’s journey from Austria to Australia is relevant to the study of the experience of émigré families during the Holocaust, and the importance of return of their property. It is rare, as it and the furniture in the living and dining room, are the only known examples in Australia of furniture manufactured by the firm of Sigmund Jàray. The provenance of the furniture is excellent, and is demonstrated by photographs taken in Vienna; correspondence with the donor’s sister, Rella; and the quotation from Sigmund Járay Kunstmöbelfabrik. It is in excellent condition. Ann Carew 2016Bedroom suite consisting of a double bed, two side tables, an upholstered stool and upholstered day bed, and a wardrobe and linen press. Made of Maple and Rosewood. Designed by the firm of Sigmund Jaray with Slawa Horowitz-Duldig.

Embroidered by donor - from Weldon's pattern.Cream linen square tablecloth. Cream and brown cotton one inch. Decorative 2cm Drawn threadwork around edge.domestic items, table setting

Beige linen tea cloth with brown drawn thread centre and brown stitched box thread hem.domestic items, sewing, handcrafts, embroidery

The cosy was made as a present.Tea cosy in a half circle shape. There is a scene appliqued on the front of a tree in green cotton fabric with a machine stitched hunk on the left hand side. There is a house appliqued on the right hand side. The roof of the house is deep blue cotton fabric and the house is in red cotton fabric. The foreground is of a cotton material with a cream background with 'grass' pattern on it in shades of green. The background is in blue fabric with a small red loop on the top.domestic items, table setting, manchester, table linen

From collection of Bette JonesSmall semi circular shaped cream linen egg cosy with cream crotched edge. A different embroidered flower design on each side. Padded cotton lining (separated)domestic items, ornaments / decorative, handcrafts, embroidery

Purchased by Valda Arrowsmith for collectionOval shape embroidered flowers in centre, crochet edge all around tea cosy covernonemanchester, table linen

Fine linen tray cloth with tape lace edging which is wider and more elaborate in each corner. Cream colour.domestic items, trays

Table centre was donated by Bette Jones from her collection of fine manchester.Tenneriffe Lace, square white cotton to form daisy like patterns measuring 5cm in diameter. Joined to centre of white linen and drawn thread square of smaller circles.domestic items, table setting

not knownCream linen supper cloth with wide border of machine made lace. From collection of Bette Jones.domestic items, table setting, handcrafts, lacemaking

Circular ecru coloured cotton crochet cloth. Centre has four circles and edges have crochet peaks.domestic items, table setting, manchester, table linen

Embroidered pieces donated by Adele Grey from the collection of Jenny Lang who was a member of the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria and held exhibitions of her work at the Arts & Crafts SocietyCream linen edged in orange silk buttonhole stitch centre embroidered with yellow and orange daisies and green leavesmanchester, table linen

Made for Glory Box in 1920s. Bought at church feteWhite linen tea cosy edge scalloped and embroidered in blue. Blue Willow pottery design embroidered on back and front of cosy.manchester, table linen

Lemon cotton hand towel with scalloped ends. On one end is an applique design of lemon leaves on white cotton backgroundmanchester, bath linen

Used by Whitehorse Historical Society. Origin unknownSmall child size mannequin on wooden stand. The model is without arms and torso size. It is covered in black cotton and black linen like material above the waist. The model is on a fixed stand with carved wooden pieces at arm holes and at the neck.model making, mannequins/dummies

Purchased from Loch Collectables.Two pieces. Padded insert. With hand embroidered Richelieu work on fine cream linen. Insert woolen material, cotton on lower edge.manchester, table linen, handcrafts, embroidery

From the estate of the late Jean Ord, mother of the donor.one oval and two round pieces, coffee coloured, machine made.domestic items, ornaments / decorative, manchester, table linen

Large white linen tea cosy cover. Blue machine embroidered blossom tree with peacock. Scalloped edge in blue hemstitched hem.domestic items, ornaments / decorative, food storage & preservation

Came from India and given to Bette Jones by Mrs McDonald. Mrs. McDonald lived in Orion St. Mitcham for last twenty years of her life. She was EnglishWhite tea cosy made of Teneriffe lace with ruffled edge linenhandcrafts, lacemaking, manchester, table linen

White cotton tray cloth with crocheted lace border and embroidered garlands handcrafts, lacemaking, manchester, table linen

from the Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Cream linen place mat embroidered in brown drawn thread work.domestic items, food & drink consumption, handcrafts, needlework

Donated by Jean Cornell. It was owned by her Grandmother, Eliza Waite, who was born in Gippsland in 1867 & married a Cornish man John Tredilock & had five children. Eliza died in 1942 & grandfather died in 1945. Jean & her husband have lived in Mitcham since 1956.Cover made to hold knitting books. One side is hard board & the front cover is ply wood, handpainted with red (cottage) & green (trees). Two sides are tied together with brown wool & are bound with green linen binding.handcrafts, knitting, hand painted

W. Gray was the president of the Whitehorse Historical Society, and this was the property of his wife Beryl Gray.Tablecloth, Ecru, Linen 84cm x 84cm; Handmade lace around the edge 62cm x 32cm deep lace across two corners.E Smythemanchester, table linen