The epergne was presented to Amelia Jane Donaldson (wife of Dr J.B. Donaldson Snr) "as a mark of esteem" by friends at the Presbyterian Church in 1907. Dr James Blair Donaldson had a medical practice in Linton from about 1889 until 1920, when his son, also named James Blair Donaldson, took it over.Silver-plate epergne for holding flowers. Epergne has a round base, and six branches radiating from a central stem. Branches each have a funnel-shaped small swirled-glass insert for holding flowers, while central stem has a matching, but larger glass vase insert.Engraved on base of epergne: "Presented to Mrs. J.B. Donaldson by her friends of the Presbyterian Church, Linton, as a mark of esteem. 26-4.07". Maker's marks stamped underneath base of epergne.amelia jane donaldson, dr james blair donaldson snr., ornaments, epergnes, vases

A cut glass and embossed sterling silver serving dish (known as an epergne) presented to Mrs. Mary Williams at a banquet held at Knuckey's California Gully Hotel in October 1889. The banquet was held to honour Mr. Richard Williams, who had been the Mine Manager of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines for the past 24 years. Mrs. Mary Williams (nee Thomas) was born in St. Austell, Cornwall in 1830. She migrated to Australia with her husband in two children in 1857, arriving on the 21st December on the 'Shakespeare'. The family lived in California Gully. Richard Williams was a mine manager, firstly for George Lansell and then for thirty seven years at the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines. Mary received the epergne at a presentation banquet for her husband in October 1889. She received the accolade as 'she was a kind and charitable lady, a genuine wife and a good mother'. Transcript of address presented to Mr. R. Williams, Mine Manager, Johnson’s Reef Gold Mines, Bendigo at a banquet held at Knuckey’s California Gully Hotel, California Gully, Bendigo. Description of presentation of epergne to Mrs. Mary Williams at the same function. “To Richard Williams, Esq., J.P., Fenton Gove, California Gully. Dear Sir, We, the undersigned, on behalf of the employees of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines Company, California Gully, Bendigo, desire to place on record the very high esteem which we have always entertained for you in your responsible position of General Manager of the above company for the past 24 years. During the whole of that time the relations which have existed between you and those under your supervision have been of the harmonious kind. You were ever ready to appreciate and acknowledge our efforts in carrying out your orders, thus making it a pleasure for us to possess your confidence and to give satisfaction to our employers. We trust that you may long continue to maintain the position which you now occupy, feeling assured that in the future, as in the past, you will render faithful service to the company whom your instructions represent, and that we, by our efforts in following your instructions may succeed in retaining the good feeling which has hitherto existed between us. In presenting you with this small token of our esteem, we sincerely trust that Mrs. Willliams and yourself may be long spared amongst us to continue in the good works in which you are so thoroughly appreciated by those with whom you are intimately connected. With every feeling of respect to yourself and family, we subscribe ourselves, George Roberts, Andrew Leahy, Robt. Thomas, Geo. Smith, John Holt, Henry Tonkin, and 220 others. The chairman then presented Mr. Williams with a very handsome diamond locket, manufactured at the establishment of Mr. J. Moody. The large gathering of employees that night showed a genuine feeling of gratitude for past kindness, and was a means of keeping up the kindly feelings which always ought to exist between employers and employees. Much what is said with regard to there being no gratitude among workmen was false, as gratitude will be shown where fair play is given, which could always be relied on from a large-hearted man like Mr. Williams, was received with loud applause”. ‘Banquet to a Mining Manager’ Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Tuesday 29 October 1889, page 3 The epergne comprises of a silver and mirrored glass base, a decorative silver centrepiece, a cut glass bowl with a conical base, and a small silver plaque. The silver centrepiece features two twining palm trees with a stag deer at the base. Epergne is from the Tui Mitchell Collection. Separate shield shaped silver coloured plaque.Presented to Mrs. R Williams By Her Friends As a slight token of esteem California Gully. October 28/89epergne, tui mitchell collection, richard williams, mary williams, california gully, knuckey's california gully hotel, johnson's reef gold mines

This glass epergne was first owned by John Sanderson's grandmother, who lived in Wandin (Clegg Road) until the 1940s. She first purchased it in 1920 and used it as a vase before passing it on to her daughter Norma Spicer. Epergne's were first created during the early 18th century France as a table centrepiece to display 'exotic' fruits and cakes from France's colonies. They were originally made of silver, however, the late 18th century saw a rise in epergnes made of porcelain due to the growing status of the European porcelain industry. The late 19th century saw another shift as Victorian and Art glass became the name of the day, and most epergne's became increasingly more complex glass works, no longer used for holding food. This epergne is the product of these later glasswork vases, reflecting 1920s interest in uranium glass and clouded geometric patterns. Epergnes like this filtered out of popularity after World War II as large dining sets and table centrepieces became less important to every day life. Those that remained transferred to more useful roles within the household: this one being used as a vase for most of its life. Green tinted glass epergne with white clouded vertical stripes. Glass thick and slightly opaque, possibly uranium glass. Base is a fruit bowl with scalloped/ruffle edges and middle coming up into a triangle. The very edges of the fruit bowl and clouded with white and blue. A golden metal notion attaches to the middle of the fruit bowl with a globe shaped connector. Notion looks like a flat gold flower with six petals and three small leaves, with middle of the flower having a screw on which to screw the largest flute. The flower has three small bucket-shaped containers attached to it in which the smaller flutes are placed. Four flutes attach from the very middle, all bell shaped with very ends flaring out into a scalloped/ruffle edge. One large flute is screwed into the middle of the fruit bowl and stands straight up. Three smaller flutes are placed in around the larger one leaning slightly away from the centre.vases, epergne, 1920, 1920s, 20s, twenties, glass, glassware, uranium glass, radium glass, clouded glass, art deco, decorative objects, tableware, wandin, clegg road

The photograph depicts a rocking chair, a kerosene lamp, a bottle holder, and two epergnes.The photograph contains historical and research significance of domestic life in Beechworth. Through the depiction of the historical rocking chair, the kerosene lamp, the bottle holder and the epergnes, the picture displays some of the everyday objects that would have been found within a Beechworth house. Although kerosene lamps and bottle holders are no longer in widespread use, this photograph not only acts as historical document and depiction of both, but it also displays the evolution of everyday tools. The interpretive capacity of the photograph extends its significance as it contains the potential to reveal information regarding the domestic life of Beechworth residents. Moreover, it also has protentional to demonstrate the shifting designs of rocking chairs, kerosene lamps, bottle holders and epergnes.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paper.Reverse: BMM A03328/ 1997.3132/ 28 1/2 ems/ E32k491/ THE OVENS AND MURRAY ADVERTISERrocking chair, chair, lamp, kerosene lamp, bottle holder, burke museum, beechworth

Trophy won by the Clunes Fire Brigade "Champion Eight" in 1902. Team members W. Power, B. Hawks, Mr. Crowthers, G. Pearce, McKenzie, F. Miles, G. Hay, McKenzie, P. Kempson, B. Featonby.1 1890's Plated American made table centerpiece Epergne with central glass bowl and matching pair of floriate trumpet vases with scalloped ornate pink borders .2 Framed Photograph of firemen involved in championship . Championship 8 1902Nilclunes fire brigade, trophy, epergne, glass

Black and white photograph of Victorian / Edwardian Dining Room. Large sideboard with mirror, large over mantle on fireplace with urns and figurines. Candlesticks and epergne on table. Large hanging branched light to ceiling. Tray mobile against wall. Various pictures on wall. Inscriptions: on front - BR corner 'UI 589 1'. On back - hand written in ball point pen 'Mueller's Mc Laren St'.place, residential, see also 2001.143.01

Sarah Bird 4th from left (seated) and Edward Pepper on her left (standing). George Bird, 2nd from right (seated). George Bird her great-grandfather and Sarah Bird and Edward Pepper, her grandparents. [from Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record, morning edition, 18 November 1904, p. 3:] ORANGE BLOSSOM. The marriage of Miss Sarah A. Bird, eldest daughter of Mr George Bird, of "View Hill," Eltham, to Mr Ernest Edward Pepper, of Diamond Creek, was celebrated at the residence of the bride's parents on Wednesday, 9th November, 1904. The ceremony took place at 4 p.m. and was performed by the Rev Percey Knight, B.A., of Alphington. The bride entered the drawing room with her father who gave her away, and the Wedding March, was nicely played by Miss Wild. The bride was prettily dressed in creme voile nicely tucked and gathered, trimmed with guipure lace and silk ruching, sprays of orange blossom, wreath and veil, and she carried a shower bouquet. Her travelling dress was a very pretty blue. The brides-maids were Miss Ethel Barker dressed in pale green voile trimmed with creme guipure lace and silk ruching; and Miss Button in creme voile, guipure lace, silk ruching; both carried pretty bouquets. The groomsmen were Mr Lorimer, of Diamond Creek, and Mr George Bird, brother of the bride. Between forty and fifty relatives and friends partook of a bountifully provided and nicely laid out breakfast. The usual toasts were honored, and congratulations were freely tendered "to the happy couple". The decorations were very tastefully executed by Miss Beatrice Nelson, and Mr Sayers. The evening was very pleasantly spent in singing, recitations, games, and other suitable pastimes, while others "tipped the light fantastic toe". About 10 p.m., "while all was merry as a marriage bell", the bride and bridegroom departed secretly "to cheat surprise and prying eyes". The presents were numerous and handsome:– Parents of the bride, sewing machine; Miss A. Bird, silver breakfast cruet; Miss N. Bird, bread board and knife; Master A. Bird, pair glass dishes; Master R. Bird, pair photo frames; Mr Sayers, tea set; Miss Kidd, silver jam dish and spoon; Miss Wilkinson, carpet; Mr J. Kilpatrick, cheque; Mr W. Kilpatrick, clock; Miss Kilpatrick, silver butter knife; Mr J. H. Kilpatrick, hand painted mirror; Mrs Kerwin, pictures; Mrs Gilsenan, the handsome wedding cake; Mrs Nelson, Japanese occasional table; Misses Nelson, jugs and candlestick; Mrs Bunker, silver cruet stand; Miss Bunker, hand-painted vases; Miss E. Bunker, epergne; Mr E. Bunker, crumb tray and brush; Miss Jessie Gilsenan, cake stand; Mr Harold Gilsenan, auger basin and ornaments; Mr Lorimer, silver breakfast cruet; Mr A. Collins and Miss Jones, epergne; Miss Cassie Sweeney, jardiniere; Miss Ida and Ollie Cooper, silver butter dish; Miss Mills, large vases; Misses M. and F. Shillinglaw, handsome oak clock; Misses C. and E. Shillinglaw, pair large pictures; Mr Lucas and Miss Sutton, silver butter dish and knife, and silver jam dish and spoon; Miss M. and A. Short, teapot, cheese dish, and tumblers; Mr and Mrs J. Anderson, butter dish; Miss Williams, pen tray; Miss Griffiths, vases; Mr I. Hill, cheque; Miss Wild, biscuit barrel; Mr, Mrs and Miss Brown, trifle bowl and crystal jug; Mrs Weller, water jug and glasses; Mrs Hadfield, pair glass dishes and butter dish; Mr and Mrs Blackney, photo frames; Mr Wilson, beaded basket pin cushion; Mr Linsy, cheque; Mrs Linsy, fruit dish; Mrs Stebbing, pair candle sticks; Mrs Blanchard, pictures.Digital copy of framed sepia photographanderson, bird, blanchard, blackney, bunker, collins, cooper, edward ernest pepper, george bird, george bird jnr, gilsenan, griffiths, hadfield, hill, jones, kerwin, kidd, kilpatrick, linsy, mills, nelson, sarah ann bird, sayers, shillinglaw, short, stebbing, sutton, sweeney, view hill, wedding, weller, wild, wilkinson, williams, wilson, brown, lesley mitchell (nee pepper) collection