This is an example of a hot water bottle in common use in households in the mid 20th century before the use of rubber ones.This bottle has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of a household item from the past. This a cylindrical silver coloured metal canister. It has a screw top stopper with a metal handle. The top of the stopper is rusted. The body of the canister has three lots of ridges around the surface and is also chipped.SU....... Stainless Steel Co. Melb. 20th century household items, early 20th century hotwater bottle

No specific information is available for this item. However, ivory was common in early 20th century household items, which were often purchased overseas as souvenirs. Many ivory items originated from Asia. Letter openers are still used today; however, they are now made out of steel as ivory is illegal.This item is an example of the use of ivory in domestic households early in the 20th century. A long, cream-white letter opener made out of ivory with a plain blade and rounded handle.There is decorative patterning on the handle consisting of holes and circles.ivory, letter opener, letters, chiltern athenaeum museum, mail

No information is available on the history of this item but it was common in the 19th and early 20th centuries to have household items made from animal bone. Sometimes it was bone from more exotic animals from Asia and India. This item may have been used to attach a decoration to the hair. This item has no known local significance but it is of interest as an item used in the past and will be useful for display.This is a hair comb with a curved handle and a coarse comb section . It is made of some sort of animal bone and has one of the edges of the comb section broken off. It has three holes on the handle for attachment to other objects and there are several holes in the material, one around one of the holes in the handle.hair comb, warrnambool, bone hair comb

These hair tongs were used to curl or wave hair. They have the name’ Marcel’ on them. In 1872 Francois Marcel Grateau invented a hairstyle called the ‘Marcel Wave’ where women’s hair styles had mostly deep waves rather than curls. The tongs that were held manually and heated and used at home to produce deep waves or curls become a commonplace item in a woman’s home in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1930s electric hair tongs were introduced but the non-electric ones continued to be used until the 1950s. These hair tongs belonged to a woman from England and would have been used in the 1930s or 40s. They are a good example of the type of household article used by women 70 or 80 years ago and will be useful for display.This is a scissors-like article with wooden handles and metal blades for waving or curling hair. One blade is heavily curved and the other is a solid round shape. The ends of the blades are tapered. The blades were heated over a stove and used manually to enclose part of a woman’s hair to produce waves or curls. The handles were originally polished black and are somewhat rubbed and the blades and other metal parts are a little rusty. ‘Marcel’ ‘12’ hair curling tongs, warrnambool

These are two vintage small cups, probably dating from early in the 20th century. They may have originally had saucers to match. Both cups have different inscriptions, and were likely given as a present to indicate friendship or love and other examples of the same type of cup have similar inscriptions such as 'Remember me' and 'Forget-Me-Not'. The cup may not have been used but kept for decorative purposes.This cup has no known provenance and is kept for display purposes as an attractive vintage household itemThese are two small china cups with a light greenish yellow and white body and a white handles. The white section has some gold lettering on it. The cup is decorated with s raised pattern of a gold chain and blue and gold flowers. The country of origin is stamped on the base..1 A Present .2 Remember me. Made in Germanysmall china cup, vintage china, household decorative items

This jug and bowl set is a household item dating from the early to mid 20th century. They would have held perhaps sugar and milk or cream and used on special occasions for family gatherings or the arrival of visitors for afternoon tea or at an "At Home" occasion.This set has no known provenance but is retained as an attractive example of a household item used when dining on special occasions by the more affluent families in the district..1 A circular clear glass bowl hand-painted around the top area with an engraved band of blue, white and gold decoration, white decoration on the lower section of the bowl and gold bands around the middle section and the rim. .2 A jug of clear glass with hand-painting similar to that on the bowl.jug and bowl set, vintage household item, kitchenware, warrnambool, glass jug and bowl, glass jug, vintage glass jug and bowl, vintage glass, warrnambool history

This salt cellar is typical of those used extensively in households in Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries at a time when salt was used on a liberal basis to flavour and preserve the food served. While a similar item may be used today in the main it has been superseded by smaller salt and pepper shakers.This item has no known local significance and is retained for display purposes. This is an oval-shaped clear glass container with a ridged incised base and lower sides. The upper side area has a pattern of dome-shaped pieces of glass. The container has an open top with no lid.vintage domestic items, glass salt cellars

This salt cellar is typical of the ones used extensively for cooking or for table use at mealtime in households of the 19th and 20th centuries (popular up to about the 1970s). These were the times when salt was used more so than today in households to preserve and to add to the flavour of food. Today an item such as this may still be in a domestic kitchen cupboard but the salt would be used more sparingly.This item is retained as an example of a domestic item used extensively in the past.This is a clear glass salt cellar with a round moulded bowl with fluted edges. The bowl is on a glass stand, also with fluted edges.vintage domestic items, glass salt cellar

This item is an example of Carnival Ware glass. Carnival Ware is pressed glass to which an iridescent surface shimmer has been applied using metallic salts. The trade name of the colour is 'Marigold'. Carnival Ware was first produced in U.S.A in 1908 and production in both U.S. A. and other countries continued until the 1940s, with the 1920s being the decade when it was most popular. It was a cheaper version of a decorative item for the household as well as having a utilitarian purpose and is a collectable glass today.This vase has no known local significance but is retained as an example of an item likely to be found in many local households of the 20th century.This is an orange-coloured pressed glass vase. It is on a stand of three legs and has a fluted patterned top rim. The body of the vase has raised decorations of butterflies and berries.carnival ware, vintage glass ware, carnival ware glass vase

This lamp base would have had a glass chimney clipped to the burner. It is a portable kerosene lamp used in the 19th century and the early 20th century for household lighting before the advent of electricity.This item is retained for display purposes as an example of household lighting a hundred years ago.This is a clear glass lamp base with a metal burner attached to the top. The bottom of the base is hollow. The glass on the stem and bulb is patterned. A BLIXTENvintage household lighting, kerosene lamps

This lamp would have been attached to a coach, or even an early automobile, for lighting purposes. It could also have been used for outdoor purposes in a household or business setting. Lamps such as this were used in the 19th century and early 20th century and preceded or accompanied the use of oil lamps and were later superseded by electric and gas lighting.This item is of historical interest and is retained for display purposes.This is a rectangular-shaped lamp made of metal. It is painted black and has clear glass with bevelled edges on two sides and a small round red-coloured glass on another side. The lighting mechanism inside the glass appears to have held a candle. The body of the lamp is mounted on a solid round metal pipe. There is a metal handle at the top for attaching the lamp to a wall or stand.vintage lighting, coach lamps

This bean slicer was made about the 1920s by the British firm of Spong & Co. This firm was founded by James Osborn Spong in 1856 in London. James Spong invented over 100 labour-saving devices during his lifetime and his firm became well-known for its production of domestic labour-saving and safety devices, especially its grinding machine and its bean slicer. These domestic items were to be found in most households from the 1880s to the 1950s prior to the advent of electrical items that carried out similar labour-saving processes. This bean slicer is of interest as a reminder of the many labour -saving devices that were available to most women early in the 20th century, even those in the rural and more remote areas in AustraliaThis a heavy metal bean slicer with a circular piece with a rounded cut-out at the top for the insertion of the bean and an attached bolted handle with a wooden top. Attached to the circular top is a circular revolving piece with three cutters. Welded on to the top piece is a metal clamp with a large screw for attaching the slicer to a table or bench. The slicer is painted green and has the name of the manufacturer etched on the top piece.Spong & Co Ltd Made In England No 632 Bean Slicervintage bean slicers, spong & co london, vintage household items

This watering can would have been used some decades ago to water pot plants and small plants in the garden requiring individual watering. Today watering cans are still used but mostly they are made of plastic although some cans are made in other materials for decorative reasons. Enamel is a hardy material but it chips when the object is knocked or dropped. This watering can has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of a common household item from early in the 20th century. This is an oval-shaped enamel watering can. It has two handles, a spout and a hinged lid. The can is very rusted. ‘Made in England’vintage household items, vintage watering can, enamel watering can, warrnambool

This is a match box holder that has been produced as a souvenir of Warrnambool. It was possibly made to commemorate the gazetting of Warrnambool as a city in 1918. The holder features the Warrnambool crest which was designed in the early 1850s by the first teacher of the Warrnambool National School, John MacDonald. He also suggested the motto, ‘By These We Flourish’. The crest has been modified over the ensuing years.This is an important souvenir of Warrnambool as it is a high quality one and features the crest of the City of Warrnambool as used early in the 20th century. This is a gold-coloured piece of metal with the ends folded or sheeted over to form a rectangle with a flat base and an open top to hold a packet of matches. The front of the holder has attached a metal image of the crest of the City of Warrnambool. The image is in gold, white and dark blue. The holder is a little bent and stained. ‘City of Warrnambool By These we Flourish’city of warrnambool, souvenir household items

Rolling pins have been found to have existed in several early civilizations and glass pins were especially popular in the first half of the 20th century. They were mostly filled with very cold water or ice when pastry dough was being rolled but sometimes they were filled with hot water, depending on the food preparation being rolled. They could still be found in some kitchens today. This item is retained as a reminder of a household item that was used in the past but may still be of use today.This is a clear glass cylindrical object with two glass handles at each end. One end is enclosed and the other is open and this end would have originally had a stopper of some kind, probably a cork. The letter ‘M’ is embedded into the enclosed end. ‘M’household items, history of warrnambool

This ink well could have been used in a household or a business office. It would have been an attractive addition to a desk or office and served in a practical way to enclose the ink needed for writing purposes. Today the ink well has been replaced by firstly the use of fountain pens and later, after 1950, the widespread use of ballpoint pens. Although it has no known local provenance this item is retained as an interesting example of an ornamental ink well from100 years ago. This is a brown rectangular-shaped metal stand elevated from the floor by four jutting side pieces. There are two upright semi-circular side metal pieces acting as protective shields. The base of the metal stand has an open fretwork pattern with a circular hole in the middle. This contains a china ink well. It is enclosed by a hinged metal lid. The protective uprights and the metal stand also have ornamental fretwork with patterns of fronds and flowers. The ink well is a little chipped.‘Rd. No. 44197’writing aids 20th century, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Clothes brushes are still used today but they were of more importance in the days when white collar workers, both men and women, wore suits and hats and tailored clothing to work and these required frequent brushing to keep them looking good as they were not washable items. Formal work clothes were more likely to be worn, particularly by men, in the 20th century up to about 1970. This case with two brushes would have been used particularly in times of travel. This item is retained as an example of a household item of the past and will be useful for display purposes..1 -This is a brown oval-shaped leather piece rolled over to make a container or case. It has a leather and metal strap and buckle stitched into the front of the case. The leather case is slightly worn and stained. .2 & .3. -The case contains two oval-shaped clothes brushes that have light brown wooden polished backs with yellow/light brown horse hair tufts attached to the back. .1 - L 14 cm. W 8.5 cm. D 8 cm. .2 & .3 - L 12. 5 cm. W 8 cm. D 3.5 cm. household items, history of 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 is a needle case produced in a novelty form. Sewing kits and needle cases were essential items for women to have in their houses, to take with them when travelling and to carry in their handbags for emergency repairs. Today needle cases are still used but less frequently as in past times, depending on the craft skills of the person and the hobbies pursued.This item has no known local significance but it is an interesting example of an early 20th century needle case and is retained for display purposes.This is a needle case in a wooden container made in a rectangular shape with a pointed top. The shape is in the form of a church with an affixed metal or paint shape of a church on the front of the container. The front of the container has been polished. The two sides of the container are affixed with two metal hinges and there is a metal clasp on one side. Part of the metal clasp is missing. Inside the container is padded with white/grey cotton material. On one side are two paper grey and black folders which once contained needles and on the other side there is a middle band to hold other needles or pins. This side has one rusty pin.‘Sharps 5/9 6, 7, Wartd. By Morris & Yeomans’household accessories, history of warrnambool

This child’s wash board, a play item, is possibly home-made. Wash boards for rubbing and washing clothes were common household clothes- washing items in Australia until the mid 20th century, along with wood coppers, washing troughs, copper sticks and simple wringers. By the 1950s and 60s washing machines were becoming more prevalent and the wash board was no longer a common item in households. This item is retained as an interesting example of a twentieth Century child's toy.This is a rectangular-shaped unpainted wooden wash board with clear rippled glass inserted in the centre and held in by four metal screws. The top of the board has a piece of the wood missing. household items, children’s toys

These boxes were commonly used to hold and carry cutlery between storage and the table. We have no information on Mr Godfrey. They are also sometimes referred to as knife boxes. A common item in many households in the 20th century.Wooden rectangular box with sloping sides and partition with hole in centre in the middle. Unpainted timber which is joined with nails on the corners and baseFrom J J Godfrey on bottom of box in blue texta.knife box, cutlery box, j godfrey

This razor is made by Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield, England. This business existed from 1682 to 1975. It would have been a common-place item in households in Australia in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century up to the widespread use of shavers containing razor blades and the advent of electric shavers. This razor has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of the type of razor in use in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It will be useful for display. .1 This is a razor, much rusted but still very sharp, which fits into a bean-shaped cover which is made of bone. The blade has the maker’s name on it. The cover has two screws. .2 The container is made of thickened cardboard in two parts and has an inner covering, also made of cloth and cardboard. The top part of the container may not the original one for this razor. The bottom end of the container is missing. The outer container is much scuffed. ‘Extra Ground Hollow’ “Joseph Rodgers Clun St. Sheffield’ social history, history of warrnambool, razor

This candle holder would probably be mostly used for a candle placed on a table, cupboard or bench. It is unornamented and so would not occupy any place of importance. Candles and lamps were the chief source of light in households until the advent and use of electricity in the early 20th century. Gas lighting was in use in street lighting and in industry for some time before this. Electric lighting for households became available in Warrnambool in the 1920s but the use of lamps and candles was still prevalent until the middle of the 20th century. This candle holder is of some interest as an example of a household item from times past. It will be useful for display. This is a china candle holder. It has a white glaze and the base is circular in shape. The rim or lip is ridged around the edge. One side of the object is cracked. household lighting, history of warrnambool, candle holder

The maker of this cruet set is unknown. It is a high quality household item and would have been a common item in households of the more affluent homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cruet sets are not used much these days but have usually been replaced by salt and pepper shakers without a stand. This cruet set has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of a household item of the past. It will be useful for display This cruet set consists of a stand, a container for mustard and two containers for salt and pepper. The stand is silver-plated and has a rectangular base with pointed edges and three slots for the containers, one rectangular and the other two square in shape. The handle is riveted to the base with two screws which are now rusty. The base of the stand also has six studs. The silver plating is tarnished in places. The salt and pepper containers are made of cut glass in rectangular shapes and have silver-plated circular-shaped lids. The top of one of the lids has broken loose from the lid. The mustard container is made of cut glass and is rectangular in shape. The silver plating on the lids is wearing away. history of warrnambool, 19th century household items, cruet set

This is a porridge set which probably dates from the early years of the 20th century. Porridge bowls and cups were particularly popular in Scotland at that time and would have been used in households in Australia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. These items have no known local provenance but are of interest as an example of the household china that was in use 100 years ago and was still being used for many decades after that time. They are attractive items and will be useful for display. These two items are a large cup and saucer made of china and used for porridge. The cup has colour floral and leaf scroll decorations inside the top rim, a piece of verse extolling the farmer and surrounded by black and white patterns, including farming implements, on one side of the cup and coloured farming implements in circles with the same verses in larger circles with a colour wheat sheaf in the centre on the other side of the cup. The saucer, more in the shape of a soup bowl, has the same colour floral and leaf decorations around the rim and the same farming patterns and verses in the centre. The handle has a black and white floral decoration The maker’s mark and name are on the bottom of the cup and saucer. ‘In God is Our Trust’ ‘The Farmers Arms’ history of warrnambool, porridge bowls

This dish is typical of those in use in households in the 20th century. It could have been used in the kitchen for holding condiments etc or for holding small items such as hairpins or nibs in other parts of the house. This item has no known local provenance but it is an attractive dish and is retained for display purposes. This is a white moulded glass dish with a rim extending over the top of the dish. household items, warrnambool history

This is a mantel clock used probably in the dining room or lounge room of a house. It would have been a common item in a household in the 20th century and was often an heirloom passed down from grandparents. This type of clock is an attractive item and is still regarded as highly desirable today.This clock has no known local significance but is retained as an attractive and historical item and serves as an example of a high quality household object of the past. This is a black wooden clock with a rectangular base with ornamental metal corner pieces and two ornamental gilt metal patterns. The clock has an overhanging rectangular top with two gilt handles on the side. Also on the sides of the lock are two green inset faux columns with two metal ornaments in between. The brass mechanism at the back of the clock has four wheels. The clock face has a glass front, black numbers and metal hands. There is a strip of brass around the outside of the face. There are two key holes on the face. 'Sessions'warrnambool, mantel clock