Before the invention of woven baskets, people used tree bark to make simple containers. These containers could be used to transport gathered food and other items but crumbled after only a few uses. Weaving strips of bark or other plant material to support the bark containers would be the next step, followed by entirely woven baskets. The last innovation appears to be baskets so tightly woven that they could hold water. Depending on soil conditions, baskets may or may not be preserved in the archaeological record. Sites in the Middle East show that weaving techniques were used to make mats and possibly also baskets, circa 8000 BCE. Twined baskets date back to 7000 in Oasisamerica. Baskets made with interwoven techniques were common at 3000 BCE. Baskets were originally designed as multi-purpose vessels to carry and store materials and to keep stray items about the home. The plant life available in a region affects the choice of material, which in turn influences the weaving technique. Rattan and other members of the Arecaceae or palm tree family, the thin grasses of temperate regions, and broad-leaved tropical bromeliads each require a different method of twisting and braiding to be made into a basket. The practice of basket making has evolved into an art. Artistic freedom allows basket makers with a wide choice of colours, materials, sizes, patterns, and details.Before the advent of plastics (1907), the is now used for many different types and styles of storage container rattan, wicker or cane was used to make containers with a lid for the storage of linens etc. The subject item was probability used at the end of the Victorian era and into the Edwardian period around the 1900s as a household storage facility. These types of wicker or cane containers started to go out of fashion due to their fragility around the 1920s into the 1940s due as well to the introduction of synthetic materials. Wicker cane rectangular shaped domestic storage container with reinforced leather pads on 4 corner sides. lid fits inside the other. Black cane piece around top edge.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 1999. Scarce: the prolonged dry weather in 1865 made water very scarce in Eaglehawk. It had to be carried from Sandhurst for domestic use.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Historically this item was used before the spirit and the electrical iron took over Circa 1930s -1950s. The main body of the iron was placed on a flat heated surface of a stove (wood, coal or gas fired). It was mainly used by women in their domestic role, ironing the family clothes and linen. In the Kiewa Valley the supply of coal or gas was not available or too expensive than the locally cut hard wood trees. This particular iron was an improvement on the fixed handled iron because it allowed (by use of its easily detachable handle) to use multiple bases and thereby allowing a constant heat supply to be maintained and not having to waste time for a base to reheat to the required level of application.The significance of this item was that it allowed for a faster method of ironing clothes and linen. It's invention was a progress towards reducing the time it took to undertake a very labour and intensive domestic function. The reduction of time taken for this household duty provided women great flexibility to undertake other activities. These type of improvements to basic domestic tasks liberated housewives not only physically but also mentally from the isolation of the home environment.This flat iron has a removable, clip-on handle. The handle and its release knob are of wood. The base of the handle together with the heavy flat body are made of cast iron. The body of the iron is oval shaped tapered at each end and is 40mm thick.Underneath the handle frame and on the main body, on one side, in raised lettering is "Mrs Potts" and on the other side "Iron". Both are clearly visible when viewed from an aerial position. Under removable handle and on a plate (screwed onto the main body) is "No 2"iron, antique, household, pressing clothes, domestic, laundry

1950's era apron with no known provenance.Black cotton apron with pattern applique and binding, back tie fastening. Very good condition.domestic

Unknown origin. Found in box of clothing in the Courthouse holding cell 2005.Black cotton apron with pattern applique and red contrast binding, double breasted front, wrap around tie fastening. Very good condition.domestic

Part of the Running Stitch collection, possibly made in BallaratDomestic wagga, unfilled, consisting of two machine sewn layers of woollen garment pieces both knitted and woven. The front pieces are predominantly red, blue and yellow, the back is mostly brown red and blue.WAGGA/ Maker unknown 154cm long X 90cm wide/ Made of parts of wool garments, knitted and woven.....handicrafts quilting quilting - history, running stitch collection, running stitch group, handicrafts, quilting, quilting - history

BHS CollectionSoftcover book with coloured photograph of a large domestic fireplace with various cooking implements. Contains 32 pages of black and white photographs and diagrams of items used in the home from the Middle Ages to the Victorian Era.Jacqueline Fearndomestic equipment, cooking utensils, cooking methods, home appliances, laundry, lighting, eating utensils

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. The textiles in the Haeusler collection belonged to Ilma Margaret Ernestine Haeusler (née Tasker), born in 1900 in Tallangatta. These textiles were handmade by Ilma between 1919 and 1928 for use in the family home during her marriage to Louis Alfred Haeusler (b.1878). Ilma died in childbirth in 1928, leaving one surviving son, John Alfred Lyell (b.1922). In the nineteenth and early twentieth century prior to the mass production of clothing and textiles, needlework, alongside motherhood, was the defining work of women. Hand sewing and embroidery was central in the everyday lives and domestic roles of women. The item is handmade and unique, with well documented provenance. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and women’s history.White hand stitched lace doily c.1920stextiles, sewing, handiwork, women's history, domestic, craft, family

Although these scales cannot be identified against a historical period of Australian development they are therefore placed in a time frame when commercial markings from manufacurers were not important enough to have domestic kitchen items labeled. These cast iron scales were made for domestic and possibly rural areas and not for cities where demand for known branded utensils was more an issue. These scales are very "basic" and not to the level of weighing detail that commercial scales had to be at. These scales do not show any visible markers for accurate measurement. The "near enough is good enough" principle can be related to these scales.These scales are significant as they identify one of the basic preparation items for the weighing of foodstuff before the televising of "cooking" shows (1960s onward). The meals for which quantity measurements are required for domestic cooking is not exact however the use of cup measurements for large dishes is tedious and these scales offer the capacity for a larger mixture and an easier method for the "cook". As the need for accurate measurements of ingrediants for rural domestic meals has in the past been not been critical the requirement of accuracy that these scales do not provide is of no consequence. Domestic kitchens in the Kiewa Valley and the type of meals produced would not have required the accuracy of ingrediants that "modern " international cuisines of the later 1900's require. These kitchen scale were used whenrecipes had the terms "pinch, dollop, squidge and smidgen" were about as accurate as most recipes needed to be.Black cast iron, medium weighing scales, with a two arm cradle. On one side of the cradle is a two half circle holding frame for the retention of the metal container scoop. This light weight steel scoop/dish allows for the weighing of loose grain or similar type material to be contained and held in place for establish its saleable contents. On the other side of the weighing cradle is a flat circular platform to hold various metal disc. All the disks used on this platform have their weight stamped on them. When the produced filled in the scoop balances with the metal weight on the opposite end of the balance match (visual horizontal appraisal) the appropriate quantity required is obtained. This scale does not have any visual markings on the arms to identify a true balance. It is therefore reasonable to assume that these scales were for domestic use only and not for commercial transactions. There are two weights that are useable with these scales, one is stamped "1 lB"(pound) and one stamped "1" and both are made as a solid round piece of cast metal.The smaller disc has a "1 lb" moulded and pressed form within a marked inner circle and a mouled ridge outer circle enclosure. The other weight is slightly larger and has a moulded "1" located on the top within a raised circular edge.domestic kitchen scales, weighing scales, metal scales

Australian domestic architecture of the period between the two world wars is a fascinating and complex subject. Our preconceived notions are based on the more obvious styles and impressions, so that visions of bungalows set row upon row spring to mind quickly. Influences in the designs of Australian houses of the 1920s and 1930s were extraordinarily diverse. Apart from their obvious origins, they can be traced to India, Japan, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico and even the American backwoods. Australian architects travelled to England, Europe and North America bringing back ideas and influences.Includes: index, bibliography. Australian domestic architecture of the period between the two world wars is a fascinating and complex subject. Our preconceived notions are based on the more obvious styles and impressions, so that visions of bungalows set row upon row spring to mind quickly. Influences in the designs of Australian houses of the 1920s and 1930s were extraordinarily diverse. Apart from their obvious origins, they can be traced to India, Japan, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico and even the American backwoods. Australian architects travelled to England, Europe and North America bringing back ideas and influences.Front page: Sue Barnettarchitecture, (mr) peter cuffley, dwellings, interior decoration, 1919 - 1929, 1930 - 1939

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. The textiles in the Haeusler collection belonged to Ilma Margaret Ernestine Haeusler (née Tasker), born in 1900 in Tallangatta. These textiles were handmade by Ilma between 1919 and 1928 for use in the family home during her marriage to Louis Alfred Haeusler (b.1878). Ilma died in childbirth in 1928, leaving one surviving son, John Alfred Lyell (b.1922). This textile is one of the many domestic objects in the Haeusler Collection that represent family and home life in early twentieth century Wodonga. In the nineteenth and early twentieth century prior to the mass production of clothing and textiles, needlework, alongside motherhood, was the defining work of women. Hand sewing and embroidery was central in the everyday lives and domestic roles of women. The item is handmade and unique, with well documented provenance. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and women’s history.Hand made white cotton doily with hand stitched cotton fringe c.1919-1928textiles, sewing, handiwork, women's history, domestic, craft, family, wodonga, haeusler collection, haeusler

donated by lindsay electrics from aspendale item shows how electricians had to repair power boards within the home one had to take out the old fuse which was installed on power board, fuse was made of ceramic, and then rewire object significant is that this is now a unique sample of how our home were wired for home and industryfuse wire on paper mountlindsay white electrics electrical contractor in industrial or domestic installations if this wont fix your trouble phone us for expert sevice 8 amp light fuse 15 mp power fuseelectrical/electrics, contractor, domestic/industrial

The key is one of a collection of seven 1860s keys once belonged to the Glenample Homestead near Princetown. They are all keyed with different bits and would have opened the external panelled doors of the Georgian building. The keys would now be around 150 years old. The keys are now part of the John Chance Collection. Locksmiths became a recognised trade by the middle of the 19th century, doing work that blacksmiths and gunsmiths would have done. They were craftsmen and trained apprentices for their trade. The local community and businesses relied on them for making a wide variety of precision objects such as locks and keys, knives, ornamental and decorative latticework, fine instruments, accurate tools and hardware items. Glenample Homestead became famous after the disastrous wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard on June 1, 1878. The owners, Hugh Hamilton Gibson and Peter McArthur, were involved in the rescue and recovery of Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce, the only two survivors, as well as overseeing the salvage of items from the shipwreck and the burial of those who lost their lives. Eva first met Jane Shields at Glenample and they became long-time friends. The keys are significant as an example of mid-19th century locksmith hardware, and for their connection with Glenample Homestead, and for their connection to the history of the Loch Ard shipwreck’s only two survivors. The set of keys also hold significance as they were discovered by John Chance, who was also a diver from the wreck of the Loch Ard in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. Glenample Homestead is of historical, social and architectural significance to the State of Victoria and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR H0392). It is a historical example of early settlement and development of a run in the coastal land of South West Victoria, and it is constructed from locally quarried sandstone but doesn’t take away from its Georgian design. Glenample Homestead is of State significance through its unique connection with the wreck of the ship Loch Ard and the connection to its owners, Hugh and Lavinia Gibson and Peter McArthur, played a historically and socially significant role in the rescue and care of the survivors, the salvage of goods and the burial of those who lost their lives. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard itself is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (S417). Key; steel domestic door key. Flat open bow with 'figure 8' space, round shank that flares out slightly above the collar on the bit. The rectangular bit has internal notches and grooves. There is a rounded pin on the end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, glenample homestead, victorian heritage register vhr h0392, georgian homestead, loch ard, princetown, jane shields, eva carmichael, tom pearce, blue china tea set, antique door key, glenample photographs, john chance

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer.These sad irons remind us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the pioneers and early settlers of Moorabbin Shire. The family of Miss M Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. Sad-iron, domestic, flat, cast iron, Silvester's Patent, No 6, Salter, England, c. 1890-1900s A sad iron made from cast iron was heated over a fire or on a stove and used for pressing clothing and table wareSILVESTER'S/ PATENT/ SALTERS / No 6 with the pretzel & a arrow going through the centresad iron, kitchen equipment, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, fireplaces, stoves

Joan Tripp Workbooks 1940- Lodger, Cashbook, Journal, Music book, Cookery, Home Management, Domestic Science, The Jungle book (dux prize), the merchant of Venice 1939-1940-Pupil Record book Undated- Arithmetic and Algebra, Art

A damaged faded grey paperback book titled A Laundry-Work Note Book by Louise Wetenhall printed in dark blue letters at the top of the front cover, with the Sir Isaac Pitman emblem below and Pitman printed at the bottom. There are 49p. with black and white photographs and diagrams throughout with blank pages for the student or teacher to write notes. It is intended as a general guide and ready reminder for those taking a course in laundry work. Some pencil notes are written on p 50 and on the last inside endpaper is a small pencil drawing. Included in the book is a beige paper sheet decorated with coloured leaves around the edges with the inscription as to it's history as written below. A small white card has the donation facts written by the owner.A thin paperback work-book intended as a general guide and ready reminder for those taking a course in laundry work. ironing machines, domestic equipment, laundry equipment, laundry irons

The key is one of a collection of seven 1860s keys once belonged to the Glenample Homestead near Princetown. They are all keyed with different bits and would have opened the external panelled doors of the Georgian building. The keys would now be around 150 years old. The keys are now part of the John Chance Collection. Locksmiths became a recognised trade by the middle of the 19th century, doing work that blacksmiths and gunsmiths would have done. They were craftsmen and trained apprentices for their trade. The local community and businesses relied on them for making a wide variety of precision objects such as locks and keys, knives, ornamental and decorative latticework, fine instruments, accurate tools and hardware items. Glenample Homestead became famous after the disastrous wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard on June 1, 1878. The owners, Hugh Hamilton Gibson and Peter McArthur, were involved in the rescue and recovery of Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce, the only two survivors, as well as overseeing the salvage of items from the shipwreck and the burial of those who lost their lives. Eva first met Jane Shields at Glenample and they became long-time friends. The keys are significant as an example of mid-19th century locksmith hardware, and for their connection with Glenample Homestead, and for their connection to the history of the Loch Ard shipwreck’s only two survivors. The set of keys also hold significance as they were discovered by John Chance, who was also a diver from the wreck of the Loch Ard in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. Glenample Homestead is of historical, social and architectural significance to the State of Victoria and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR H0392). It is a historical example of early settlement and development of a run in the coastal land of South West Victoria, and it is constructed from locally quarried sandstone but doesn’t take away from its Georgian design. Glenample Homestead is of State significance through its unique connection with the wreck of the ship Loch Ard and the connection to its owners, Hugh and Lavinia Gibson and Peter McArthur, played a historically and socially significant role in the rescue and care of the survivors, the salvage of goods and the burial of those who lost their lives. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard itself is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (S417). Key; steel domestic door key. Flat open bow with 'figure 8' space. Round narrow shank flares out slightly above the collar on the bit. The rectangular bit has has external notches and grooves. There is a rounded pin on the end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, glenample homestead, victorian heritage register vhr h0392, georgian homestead, loch ard, princetown, jane shields, eva carmichael, tom pearce, blue china tea set, antique door key, glenample photographs, john chance

This particular box of brass drawing pins would have been used before the introduction of cheaper polished chrome drawing pins manufactured in Asia. The box construction and label would suggest that supply of this boxes contents could have been in the early 1950's. Drawing pins or push pins were first invented in 1900 by Mr Edwin Moore. The need for a secure fastener to accommodate temporary signs and notes for domestic and commercial environments sprang up from the need to cope with an increasing faster method of presenting information on removable surfaces such as temporary notice boards. In the 1950's and later the increase in the pace of "living" brought about many time saving written communication notices. This temporary method of providing fast temporary notices is being surpassed by the computer age and mobile telephone "applications". The information spectrum of the computer age has made many "hands on" (drawing pin) applications go to the "dodo" level. This box of drawing pins is very significant to the Kiewa Valley and its region because it demonstrates that the pace in rural regions especially those that were once semi remote regions has moved at the same pace as the bigger towns and cities. Differences are still noticeable, such as the requirement of drawing pins for temporary signs and mail box commercially important "sales" notifications. The pressures that produce the "rat" syndrome, that is pressure by increased population levels infringing upon the individual's day-to-day existence is still not present in rural areas such as the Kiewa Valley. Drawing pins are still a requirement for leased accommodation (which are usually short term accommodation) for the personalisation of "home" wall decorations and shopper's "notice and information boards"This small box, similar to a "match box" (thumb activated slide, top open, cardboard container), holds brass drawing pins. These brass pins are also known as brass tacks, thumbtacks or push pins. The top of the brass tack has a "domed head" with the manufacturer's logo stamped on it. The number "2" on the bottom right of the label is the "weight" of the drawing pin. On the front and within a red border and red letters "BRASS" and below this in script form "Drawing Pins" and below this in smaller letters "Made In Germany" Below this and on the bottom left side "100" and also on the bottom but to the right "No. 2"notice and information boards, quick temporary fasteners., pins, tacts, brass tacts, domestic, decorations

These scales were used in the post office which was located at Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory.Red Post Office wedge-shaped scales with rectangular base and spring-loaded top plate; white dial face marked to 16oz by 1/8 oz increments. Marked Domestic Use Only. Manufacturer's details marked in gold on the front of the scales.No.63 (on base) POST OFFICE/Persinware/Made in Australiaallansford, warrnambool cheese & butter factory, wcb, post offices, scales, weighing instruments

Ref. NA4362Maroon and white quarter-inch check princess line dress. This Summer uniform has short sleeves with a V-Neck collar and zipper front (14'/35cm zipper). There are two pockets in side seams. The garment is handmade on domestic machine and hand finished.costume, children's uniform, handcrafts, dressmaking

Displayed in History HouseGlass bottle with moulded words on side. Impressed semi-spherical pattern near neck, forming a marble and rubber ring stopper (marble still in bottle) (possibly Dobson Patent type).Front: E. Rowlands/Ballarat/Melbourne/Katoomba/and/Sydney.bottle, domestic

Rug believed to have been used in Fortuna Villa. 1.27cm x 1.96cm. Fringed ends. Possibly silk and jute materials. Multi coloured, predominately blue, yellow with pink and black. Intricate floral design.textiles, domestic

Black Glass 1860 bottle concave basecontainers, domestic