Three pieces of crewel embroidery. Linen twill, fawn (natural) worked with worsted wool in dominantly blue, green and brown. Typical Jacobean design and variety of stitches. Presumably 17th century.embroidery, crewel embroidery, fragments, 17th century, england

Three pieces of crewel embroidery. Linen twill, fawn (natural) worked with worsted wool in dominantly blue, green and brown. Typical Jacobean design and variety of stitches. Presumably 17th century.embroidery, crewel embroidery, fragments, 17th century, england

Three pieces of crewel embroidery. Linen twill, fawn (natural) worked with worsted wool in dominantly blue, green and brown. Typical Jacobean design and variety of stitches. Presumably 17th century.embroidery, crewel embroidery, fragments, 17th century, england

This meticulously hand crafted ship model is one of the most intricate and challenging projects for a ship modeller to create. Jim Williams took up the challenge, choosing to make all of the components by hand, following a plan of the ship rather than purchasing a pre-made kit. He even made his own tools specifically for working with this model. The “Sovereign of the Seas” 1637-1697 - The magnificent ship “Sovereign of the Seas” was ordered by Charles I of England, who desired a giant Great Ship to be built. It was built by Peter Pett under the guidance of his father Phineas, the King's master shipwright, and launched with 102-guns at Woolwich Dockyard on 13th October 1637, as the Navy’s second three-decker first-rate ship. It was the most extravagantly decorated warship in the Royal Navy, bought with the help of a special 'Ship Money' tax imposed by the King. Soon afterwards the ship was remodelled and cut down to a safer and faster ship. Over the ship’s lifetime it was renamed “Commonwealth”, then in 1650 it became simply “Sovereign” then again after a rebuild in 1660 it was named “Royal Sovereign”. By 1642 the ship’s armament had been reduced to 90 guns. In 1651 Sovereign was made more manoeuvrable by reducing the upper works. It served throughout the wars of the Commonwealth and became the flagship of General Robert Blake. It was involved in all of the great English naval conflicts fought against the United Provinces and France and was referred to as 'The Golden Devil' by the Dutch. By 1660 the armament was changed attain to 100 guns. After the English Restoration, it was rebuilt as a first-rate ship of the line, with flatter gun decks and 100 guns, and most of the carvings were removed. During the First Anglo-Dutch War, in a secret session on 21 October 1652, the States-General of the Netherlands announced reward money for the crews of fire ships that succeeded in destroying enemy vessels; the Sovereign was singled out with an extra prize of 3000 guilders to sink or ruin it. Although repeatedly occupied by the Dutch, the Sovereign was retaken every time by the British and remained in service for nearly sixty years as the best ship in the English fleet. The Sovereign was in regular service during the three Anglo-Dutch Wars, surviving the Raid on the Medway in 1667. After a second rebuild in 1685 the Sovereign was relaunched as a first-rate ship of 100 guns, before taking part in the outset of the War of the Grand Alliance against Louis XIV of France, venturing into the Irish Sea, and later participating in the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690 and the Battle of La Hougue. At this time she was more than fifty years old. It was the first ship in history to fly ‘royals’ above the topgallant sails and a top gallant sail on the jigger-mast. The Sovereign eventually became leaky and defective with age and was laid up at Chatham when, on 27th January 1697, the famous ship caught fire, burning to the waterline. Jim Williams, the model’s maker - Jim (James Bernard) Williams was born in 1888 at The Forth in Scotland. He lived in Tasmania for some time and enlisted to fight in France in WW1. After the war he moved to Warrnambool, Victoria, where he worked at the Cramond & Dickson clothing store until the Great Depression in the 1930’s. He was later employed at Fletcher Jones Menswear, where he worked for 27 years until just before his death in 1959. Jim was a passionate ship model builder. He worked on his model ships between 1930 and 1955, including The Endeavour and The Sovereign of the Seas, which was one of the most intricate historic ship models to build. He had a table set up in a bay window and worked on them on and off using a jeweller's eye glass on the finer pieces. Jim’s long-time employer, Fletcher Jones, knew of Jim’s hobby and skill as a ship model builder and requested Jim to describe the model, Sovereign of the Seas, with the view of putting it on display. When the model was finished there was a full article and photo in The Standard newspaper. Jim described his work on the ship mode “Sovereign of the Seas” in correspondence to his then employer, Fletcher Jones. The document gives us an insight into his skill, patience, and regard for replicating the details of the original ship. Some of the details are: "In making the model the time taken to make certain items might be of interest. For instance "The Great Lantern" on the stern, four weeks, a similar time for the figurehead of St George & the Dragon. "The lower shrouds three to each side about six weeks & the rigging as whole several months. There are nearly 300 blocks and pulleys ranging from nearly 1 / 16 inch in diameter. Dead eyes were bored with 3 to 5 holes. To do this needles of different sizes, set in handles & ground to wedge ends were used. Glass cut and ground to shape were used windows. All gun-port covers (74) hinged. "All guns and anchors made of wood. Nothing for the model was purchased ready-made; everything hand made." Jim’s family donated the ship model along with many associated tools, accessories and papers. The model represents the Sovereign of the Seas. The Royal Navy ship of the line launched in 1637 has a significant British maritime heritage. These days the Sovereign of the Seas still remains one of the most intricate historic ship models to build, representing to the model enthusiast a true challenge to the art of model shipbuilding. The model of Sovereign of the Seas in Flagstaff Hill's collection is an exemplary example of a ship model built and hand crafted from a plan with the making of every item on the model, not a model kit with prefabricated parts. It was made by a local Warrnambool man Jim Williams as a leisure activity in the mid 20th century. The hobby and craft of ship model making has resulted in visual representations of the changes in maritime technology and advances in world-wide navigation. Ship model of HMS Sovereign of the Seas, a 17th century British warship. The handmade model is in wooden framed, airtight glass case. All components were hand crafted. Many of the tools used were made by the model maker, Jim Williams. An inscribed plaque is within the case. Inscribed on plaque "SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS / 102 GUNS - 1634"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, model ship, vessel sovereign of the seas, jim williams, james bernard williams, the forth tasmania, freda williams, heather williams, phyllis bowditch, fletcher jones staff 1936, 17th century sailing ship, cramond and dickson, sovereign of the seas, royal sovereign, sovereign, charles 1, ship model

Purchased by the donor from a Chinese family on a rubber estate in Malacca for 3 pound in 1922. The country was suffering a deep depression owing to a slump in rubber and many wealthy Chinese were in serious financial difficulties and were realising on anything they could. When the coat was on show at an exhibition the donor was told by someone who had lived in China for many years that it was a very fine example and was possibly 200-300 years old (identified by the cut and fastening of the front panel). The golden pheasants embroidered on the back indicated it came from a Southern state and from a family of high degree. Some years later it was dated as 17th century. Classical style of garment, very long-sleeved in red silk with coloured embroidery. The symbols belong to a high ranking official, symbols of two white doves embroidered on the back, and also the long sleeves with their decorative embroidered bands of turquoise, blue, pink and yellow. The front of the garment overlaps the right side with five small decorative buttons fastened with loops. The buttons were gold and because of their value they were replaced with identical brass buttons. Motifs include phoenix, butterflies, birds, pomegranate, flowers and auspicious symbols. Predominate stitch used is Pekinese Knot Stitch with couched gold outlines of the motifs. The birds and butterflies are worked in satin and long and short stitch. embroidery, garments, china, silk embroidery, oriental, 17th century

This religious book by John Scott, D.D., late Rector of St. Giles in the Fields, London, sets about to explain some of the church's doctrine. The book originated from the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute. The book was printed for Walter Kettilby, a bookseller and publisher in London in the 17th century. He died in 1699 and was buried at St. Paul’s Cathedral.The book is significant for its age – it is one of the oldest books in Flagstaff Hill’s collection, published in 1696, well before Australia was colonised. The publisher, Walter Kettilby, passed away three years later. The book expresses the writer’s interpretation of Christian doctrine giving an insight into the doctrines and beliefs of the 17th century. The book was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institutes’ Collection. which has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and its important role in people's intellectual, cultural and social development throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance.The Christian Life Part III Vol IV Author: John Scott, D.D. Publisher: Walter Kettilby, Bishop's-Head, St. Paul's Church Yard. Date: 1696Label: "RH 248.4 SCO" Sticker: "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library" Stamp on Fly: "000379" Text on Fly: "Wherein the great duties of justice, mercy and mortification are fully explained and inforced." "By John Scott, D.D. late Rector of St. Giles in the Fields."flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, warrnambool library, free library, john scott, 17th century book, 1696, the christian life, walter kettilby, bishop-s head, st paul's church yard, st giles in the fields, religious teaching, christian teaching, christian doctrine, walter kettilby bookseller, walter kettilby publisher

Bought in Greece in 1961 from Attica near Athens.Antique design of small animals in cross stich on a natural linen with dark brown thread. embroidery, cross stitch, 17th century, greece

Found in antique shop in Brighton, Mounted on an old screen and very dirty.Very open weave linen, covered in silk embroidery using blue, green, brown and beige silk. Framed in gold and mounted on bright blue raw silk.embroidery, panels, italy, 17th century, silk embroidery, european

Jim (James Bernard) Williams, who was the owner of this manual, was a long-time resident of Warrnambool having the opportunity to work at two notable historical businesses of the town. The first, Cramond & Dickson a drapier store established around 1852-1855 and which remained a store that traded under the same name for the longest in Victoria, before it closed its doors in 1974. The second business was Fletcher Jones a highly successful textile and clothing Australian business. Some of Jim’s spare time was devoted to the model ship making which would conjure up many fascinating stories of maritime history. In addition to Jim witnessing the tail end of ships at port in Warrnambool, his "father was as sea captain and operated his vessel in Bass Strait coastal trade between Tasmania and Victoria". The intricately detailed model made by Jim is full of precise detail. The manual and the blueprints held by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village also reflect the intricate process and devotion to the task completed by Jim. The history of the shipwreck and maritime stories of the Victorian Southwest coast surrounding Warrnambool would have continued to inspire his passion. Three photos of the model and Jim, like the photo of Harold T. Bodkin in the manual, attest to the enthusiasm and enjoyment that was gained by him through this hobby. The manual opens to a photo of “Mr. Harold T. Bodkin adding finishing touches to model of the “Sovereign of the Seas”. The “Forward to Reader” which is on the next page is written by “E. R. HAAN, Technical Editor, Popular Mechanics Magazine. The forward explains the methodology used to achieve the fine detail that is part of the body of the model, by “applying imitation carvings”, and is cited as “a museum type of model”. The following page “Blueprints and Craftmats on the ‘Sovereign of the Seas’” discusses the availability of a set of blueprints to purchase separately. Followed by a description of the moulding process for the “miniature carvings”. “Historical Notes of Interest on the “Sovereign of the Seas (1637)” follow on the next page. The manual is divided into the following parts from pages 8 to 71: “Part I – Shaping the Hull/Part II – The Rudder, Quarter Galleries and Gunports/Part III Wales, Gunport Covers and Initial Ornamentation/Part V – Beakhead Decoration, Bulkhead and Rails, Etc./Part VI Carvings, Lanterns, Knights, Bitts and Painting/Part VII – Details of Mast Construction/Part VIII – Standing Rigging/Part IX – Running Rigging and Final Details. All of these instructions include photographs and detailed graphs. Then instructions on “How to Read and Use Ship-Model Drawings”, “The Shop-Model Maker’s Tools”, and “Simplified Ship-in-a-Bottle”. This is finished off with “Helpful Hints….” And numerous pages of advertising. Some adverts include aids for completing the “Sovereign of the Seas” model. Part I uses blue and black ink to illustrate a dramatic picture of the “Sovereign”, otherwise all print is in black ink on buff paper. This book in significant to the collection as it was donated along with other tools and blueprints which have been used by the donor of the "Sovereign of the Seas" model ship. It also connects with the wider community in that it is related to historical maritime interest and the donor, Jim Williams is also connected to other significant retail and manufacturing businesses of the past in Warrnambool. This manual has been covered with brown paper, including an extra strip for the spine. The front has a watermark at the top middle, some pencilled compass circles segmented into eight parts across the area and a small amount of script writing. The back also has the same type of compass circles and some other small shapes. There are also grease marks. The cover has a patina adding to variations of colour to the paper indicative of the book being handled often. The title page reads “Sovereign of the Seas” in an Old English font. This is followed by a lithograph print around 1 inch square of a ship at full sale. By HAROLD T. BODKIN/Charter President of the Ship Model Club of Chicago/Copyright, 1933, By Popular Mechanics Company/POPULAR MECHANICS PRESS/CHICAGO/Printed in the U.S.A. By HAROLD T. BODKIN/Charter President of the Ship Model Club of Chicago/Copyright, 1933, By Popular Mechanics Company/POPULAR MECHANICS PRESS/CHICAGO/Printed in the U.S.A.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, model ship, vessel sovereign of the seas, jim williams, james bernard williams, the forth tasmania, freda williams, heather williams, phyllis bowditch, fletcher jones staff 1936, 17th century sailing ship, cramond and dickson, sovereign of the seas, royal sovereign, sovereign, charles 1, fletcher jones, warrnambool breakwater

A complete set of 8 blueprints from “Popular Mechanics Magazine”, Chicago. The blueprints are on a royal purple coloured paper with white print. Each print displays labelled diagrams to assist the hobbyist to assemble the ship model “Sovereign of the Seas”. The designer is Harold T. Bodkin. Distinct fold creases divide the documents into quarters. There is some silverfish damage leaving holes, however, all instructions are visible. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, model ship, vessel sovereign of the seas, jim williams, james bernard williams, the forth tasmania, freda williams, heather williams, phyllis bowditch, fletcher jones staff 1936, 17th century sailing ship, cramond and dickson, sovereign of the seas, royal sovereign, sovereign, charles 1, fletcher jones, warrnambool breakwater, popular mechanics magazine

Two part object: two framed monochrome posters, reproductions of 17th Century prints, both entitled 'TENNIS'; (.1) features image of court tennis and below specifications for eight paddles and early racquets. (.2) features drawings and specifications for balls, racquets, racquet strings, poles and ground stakes. Both parts framed in blue plastic frames. Materials: Ink, Paper, Metal, Cardboard, Woodtennis

The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).Traditional flock wallpaper. 1970s reproduction of 17th or 18th Century design. Damask pattern.Verso: "67547 D3 p [in blue]decorative arts & design, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history

History is set out in N.H.S. Newsletter Series 2 - April 1999.Large 'Horseshoe' or Horse Lock made in England late 17th early 18th century.Patented Leavers Locksecurity - locks

Medieaval and 17th century Dutch paintings show winterscapes with children from the Low Countries skating on skates of similar pattern.The Dutch love of skating is exemplified by the fact that so many brought their skates with them to their new country.4649 (a) and (b) Wooden upper, pointed at both ends; steel blade fastened with central rivet; leather ankle and toe straps. Front straps have eyelets through which very strong crossgrain strap was threaded to tie skate onto shoe, rear strap has hole either side to thread the strap through for tying under shoe instep and around top of shoe and around ankle.R 21 (on right skate) 21 (on left skate)skates, dutch winter sport

This item is a demijohn. The name demijohn is believed to have come from the French "dame-jeanne" or Lady Jane, with the term first being used in the 17th century.Large double glazing ceramic jar with handle. The main body is beige the mouth, the handle and the top of the jar are light brown. The number 1 is imprinted on the mouth near the handle. The diameter at the bottom is 17.5 cm. The mouth opening is 2.5 cm. From the George Harris estatedomestic equipment, food storage & preservation

Drawn thread was an embroidery technique that appeared in the 17th century. In the late 19th and early 20th century it was used on linen and cotton to create decorative functional items such as this tablecloth. The item is of significance socially as an example of a decorative domestic object from the early 1900s. It is a fine example of drawn thread embroidery.Handmade decorative tablecloth created from soft white linen. A crochet lace edge decorates the outer edge of the tablecloth and drawn thread work has been used to create two large inner borders as well as fine edging borders.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, tablecloth, linen, crochet lace, drawn thread work, textile, domestic object, decorative lace edging

The VOC sent its trading ships to the (then) Dutch East Indies to collect spices and other goods. In the 17th century accurate navigation was not always possible and ships might end up on the wild, unchartered West Australian coastline. Item recalls the fact that the WA coast was unintentionally visited by Dutch ships during the 17th and 18th centuries. Because the coast was so unattractive the Dutch did not try to settle the country.Large rectangular timber plaque with scalloped edges depicting historic shipwrecks of Western Australia.An insert reads: "Historic Shipwrecks of Western Australia (Protected as of 1983). Coastal cities are marked with their names and dots along the coastline indicate wreck sites. Most are named and dated; others marked as unidentified. An inset map deals with the area around Fremantle and shows a large number of wrecks. A separate typed notice attached to the map identifies the five known Dutch wrecks - all ships of the VOC - Vereennigde East Indian Compagnie (Dutch East India Company). Further than that there are a distance scale and a compass.

This history of the Davey Family of Plenty Farm Greensborough was published to celebrate the 100th anniversary of John Henry Davey, his wife Elizabeth and children settling in Greensborough in 1913. The book contains stories written by many family members, photographs and traces the family line back to England in the 17th century.A thoroughly researched and referenced family history.108 pages, colour and black and white illustrations. Spiral binding. davey family, sylvia tupper, plenty farm, greensborough

The term 'fob' traces back to the 16th-century German word fuppe, meaning 'small pocket.' Fob watches evolved in the 17th century when King Charles II introduced waistcoats. Men placed their timepieces in these pockets, securing the watch to their clothing with a short ribbon, chain, or attached ornament (the 'fob').A silver pocket watch, with a white enamel dial and roman numerals. Also, a 'seconds' dial is inset into the main dial. The ornate casing designs on this fob and pocket watch features delicate, openwork metal calligraphy shaped into intricate floral designs. HST is engraved inside a small circle on the front of the casing."43404 5" inscription is on the inside of the lid casing. A floral pattern engraving is on the back and lid of the casing with the initials HST in a small circle on the front.pocket watches, watches, fob watches, timepieces

During the 17th century, or the Golden Age, the Dutch Republic was involved in a number of wars at sea. The main goal of the Dutch navy was to protect shipping lanes all over the world and, if need be, to repel a naval invasion of Dutch territory. They also constantly searched for new territories from which to import the spices vital for the preservation of food. The Dutch are historically very proud of their seafaring history and honour "heroes" such as Dik Tromp, Piet Hein and Michel de Ruyter. These men were actually as much pirates as anything else and preyed on the treasures brought back from South America by the Spanish and Portuguese.This is actually a miniature sailing ship based on a small wooden clog. The two parchment sails carry heraldic decorations While the top mast also has a small red, white and blue flag. The varnished clog is decorated with a small typically Dutch scene and the word "Holland". "Made in Holland" is printed on the underside.Made in Holland

This author P. Kalaitzis was founder and director of the magazine by the name "Σύγγραμμα - Επετηρίς" at the time of publication. He describes here the education situation on the island of Imbros from the 17th Century till the mid-1900s. The book is in the Greek language. It has no illustrations and its 18 pages long. - It was printed by printers D. Giannopoulos - 3 Kororoit Creek Rd., North WilliamstownHistorical significance of the activity of Greeks in Victoria during the periodBook in the Greek language, written by Panayotis Kalaitzis. ΚΕΝΤΡΟΝ Ιμβριακών και Τενεδιακών Σπουδών - Περιοδικόν Συγγραμα - Επετηρίς, Ιδρυτής Διευθυντής Παναγιώτης Δ. Καλαϊτζής. Έκδοσις Β'. (Issue B), Melbourne 1972. Blue soft covergreek, letters, book, imbros, education, βιβλίο

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strapA lady's beige, beaded, silk lined, evening bag with press stud fastenerevening wear, purses, personal effects, handbags, fashion, needlework, craftwork, dressmaking, moorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham

This is the lid of a Cherry Tooth Paste container made by John Gosnell & Co. London. This company had its origins in the 17th century with John Gosnell joining the company in 1814. It made perfume, soap, brushes and combs and other personal household items. By 1898 the firm was based in London and known for its Cherry Tooth Paste. The practice of brushing the teeth for hygienic reasons began in the 18th century and became more popular in the 19th century. This item has no known local provenance but is interesting as an example of an early 20th century household product and is useful for display.This is a white china container lid, cracked and mended in places and chipped in other places. The container had Cherry Tooth Paste in it. The top of the lid is brown and yellow with brown and yellow printing. There is an image of the head of a young Grecian girl on the lid. ‘Cherry Tooth Paste, Patronized by the Queen, For beautifying and preserving the teeth & gums, prepared by John Gosnell & Co. Ltd., London’cherry tooth paste, john gosnell & co., warrnambool

From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from an old word meaning solid) began to be used. They were thick slabs of cast iron, delta - shaped and with a handle, heated in a fire. These were also called flat irons. Another solution was to employ a cluster of solid irons that were heated from the single source: as the iron currently in use cools down, it could be quickly replaced by another one that is hot. Source: www.wikipedia.orgLocal social history, domestic itemBlack cast iron with handleon top plate but not decipherabledomestic, iron, work, womens, laundry

A window sash is a type of moveable window frame that can slide, usually vertically. Unlike a window frame built into the wall, a sash allows glass window panes to slide up and down. The sashes fit inside a track that runs along another window frame attached to the house. Lead weights traditionally counterbalanced sashes, but today they are counterbalanced by springs. The traditional sash window is double-hung; this means it has two sashes that can both slide along a vertical track. However, some sash windows have a single moveable sash, and sashes may slide horizontally. A sash usually contains panels of glass, called lights. The lights are traditionally held together by a grid of bars. The sash window was developed in 17th century England and allowed for greater airflow. The sash window has had a significant impact on western architecture, used in nearly every style of English domestic architecture since the late 17th century. The subject item is a template used by the carpenter to mark or scribe the vertical track in which to window will slide up and down.An item used when sash windows were made by hand from the 17th to the early 20th century. The template allowed the carpenter to mark accurately a channel that was then planed and the Mitre to join the bars.Wooden Ovalo sash template with two screws each side. It has slot along length and has 45 degree bevelled edge each end.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wooden ovalo sash template, ovalo sash template, template, sash template, sash templet, window sash, tool

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strap often decorated with pearls, sequins, beads and embroidery. A lady's black velvet, silk lined, evening bag with draw-string and hand made tassels. The bag is decorated with beads in a floral designmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craft work, dressmaking

From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from Middle English "sad", meaning "solid", used in England through the 1800s) began to be used. They were thick slabs of cast iron, triangular and with a handle, heated in a fire or on a stove. These were also called flat irons. A laundry worker would employ a cluster of solid irons that were heated from a single source: As the iron currently in use cooled down, it could be quickly replaced by a hot one. An antique heavy cast iron sad iron (from Middle English 'sad' meaning 'solid') with a rounded cast iron handle. It has a roughened surface with a decorative pattern on the top of the iron. 'Silverston Metals' irons, laundry irons