In the late 19th and early-20th centuries household heaters burned wood and coal for heating. In winter the warm air from the fireplace would flow into the room through a round flue in the face of the chimney. In the warmer months the unnecessary heater and flue was removed and the chimney cleaned. Homemakers then covered the circular flue hole with a decorative and usually inexpensive wall hanging to prevent draughts and dust. The practice was especially popular in France and Germany where a lot of the artwork originated. The covers were no longer needed after households changed over to more modern designs of heaters. The flue covers were known as Wall Art or Flue Cover Art. They were usually round and illustrated with a lithograph or chromograph print. The picture was then mounted on card, covered with glass, and framed with a brass or tin rim. The border was commonly gilt with a black stripe around the centre. There were numerous illustrations, many with a European appearance, and were easily bought through local merchants for a small price.This pretty flue cover is significant for representing a common domestic wall decoration from the late Victorian to the Edwardian eras, when solid fuel heaters were used in low to high income homes. The picture is similar to many other flue cover images, apart from the holly clutched in the girl’s hand, which gives the cover a Christmas theme. This flue cover is the only one in our collection and appears to have a unique design; the hand painted floral decoration on the glass and the two crimson rings around the edges of the frame’s white border haven’t been seen on other flue covers. Flue cover, metal and glass. Print of a young girl with blue eyes and curly blonde hair, a hooded blue cape, a silver clasp with blue stones, and a sprig of holly in her hand. The round metal frame forms a deep, white-painted, crimson-edged border for the illustration. The hand-painted blue flowers on the glass front form add to the border and give a 3-dimensional effect. The picture is between the cardboard backing and the glass front, with the metal frame holding them together. There is a metal chain attached for hanging the cover.warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, picture, handpainted, portrait, girl in blue cape, metal frame, round picture, illustration, print, holly, christmas, child in blue cape, silver and blue clasp, holly sprig, late 19th century, early 20th century, 1890s-1930s, victorain, edwardian, flue cover, flue cover art, wall art, chimney flue cover, chimney hole cover, stove pipe cover, fireplace flue cover, antique, victorian, glass frame, chromograph, lithograph, tin, brass, lithograph print, chromo print, christmas girl, blue cape, blonde girl

Published: The Age 10 December 1934 Published title: RELIGIOUS PAGEANTRY AND FERVOR MARKED CLOSE OF EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS. Published caption: Thousands of men and women marched in the Eucharistic procession yesterday which brought the Congress to a close. The picture above shows the procession headed by the Children of Mary in Bourke-street and turning into Spring-street, in front of Parlia ment House. Right (top) — The procession leaving the starting point at St. Patrick's Cathedral and below, the Papal Legate carrying the Host under a canopy borne by a guard of laymen and preceded by white-clad girls scattering rose leaves, incense bearers and the Papal Chamberlains in their Spanish uniforms. The end of the procession in front of Mount St. Evin’s Hospital from which the final benediction was given by Cardi nal MacRory from an altar on the bal cony. The Papal Legate carrying the Host is passing through the assemblage of surpliced priests. On the left is an aerial picture taken just as the Children of Mary at the head of the procession are taking up their places for the final assembling. In the left top corner of the picture is St Patrick's Cathedral, from which the procession started, and in the right lower corner is Mount St. Evin’s Hospital. The space immediately in front of the hospital was reserved for the processionists while on either side is the crowd that assembled to take part in the final service. Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205067634 Religious pageantry and fervour The National Eucharistic Congress took place from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 December 1934. An initiative of the Roman Catholic Church, it was their contribution to Melbourne’s Centenary Celebrations. 200,000 Catholics resided in Melbourne at this time – one quarter of the city’s population. While the Congress was aimed at Catholics, and acted as an opportunity to reinforce their living faith and homage, it contained a variety of events of splendour, solemnity and significance designed to appeal to Melbournians, and would additionally provide incentive for people to travel to Victoria, thereby creating an economic benefit to the state. The Procession of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the week-long Congress. Commencing at St Patrick’s Cathedral, it covered a two-mile route via Gisborne, Collins, Elizabeth and Bourke streets, then to Victoria Parade, where a final benediction was pronounced by Cardinal MacRory from the balcony of Mount St. Evin’s Hospital (today the site of St Vincent’s Private Hospital). An estimated 100,000 took part. Onlookers line Swanston Street, some standing at the entrance to Tate’s Tea House – a well-known Melbourne landmark located in the basement of the Manchester Unity Building. The white-veiled Children of Mary Sodalists strew rose petals in the path of the canopy, covering the jewelled Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament of consecrated Host (bread) and carried by the Cardinal. Church hierarchy in scarlet robes walk alongside, followed by incense bearers, the Papal Chamberlains in their Spanish uniforms, and a guard of honour of laymen of the city and country parishes. In the foreground is a tiered pole. This is one of 800 “Venetian Lights” specifically installed for the Centenary along all principal thoroughfares. “The poles are painted white, the superstructure resembling three trumpet lilies are made of durable fibro-cement, and their colour scheme deepens from clear yellow on the top cone to orange on the lowest, with slender rims of vermilion and white. Each cone is flooded with light externally from three lamps concealed in the one below it. There is also a painted coat of arms from which spring a trophy of flags.” – Australian Home Beautiful Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie. Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie: This photo was taken on Sunday 9 December 1934, looking from the Melbourne Town Hall (corner of Swanston and Collins streets) across the road to the Manchester Unity Building. This is the afternoon procession concluding the Catholic Church’s National Eucharistic Congress in Melbourne - a procession of the Blessed Eucharist through the Melbourne city. It commenced at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and covered a two mile route via Gisborne, Collins, Elizabeth and Bourke streets, then to Victoria Parade where a final benediction was pronounced by the Cardinal from the balcony of Mount St. Evin’s Hospital (present day St Vincent’s Private Hospital). An estimated 100,000 took part in the march. The people lining the streets a men in suits and hats, women in coats and hats, and children in their “Sunday best”, kneeling beside the road, many with their hands clasped in front of them. The small girls ahead of the canopy covering the Host are pale-blue clad, white veiled Children of Mary Sodalists, who strew rose petals to pave the way of the Cardinal carrying the jewelled Monstrance (Blessed Sacrament of consecrated Host (bread)), together with church heirarchy wearing scarlet robes. Behind came incense bearers and the Papal Chamberlains in their Spanish uniforms, followed by a guard of honour of laymen of the city and country parishes. The Children of Mary Sodalities was a religious body which aimed at fostering in its members an ardent devotion, reverence, and filial love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary, initially embracing the pupils and orphans of the schools and institutions of the Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. In 1847, Blessed Pius IX affiliated them to the Jesuit Roman Sodality. They were distinguished by a medal suspended from a blue ribbon, and once a fully-fledged a Child of Mary wore a distinctive blue cape. On the extreme right foreground of the photo can be seen an intriguing piece of artistic design – a tiered pole. This is one of the 800 “Venetian Lights” specifically installed for Melbourne’s Centenary along all principal thoroughfares. “The poles are painted white, the superstructure resembling three trumpet lilies are made of durable fibro-cement, and their colour scheme deepens from clear yellow on the top cone to orange on the lowest, with slender rims of vermilion and white. Each cone is flooded with light externally from three lamps concealed in the one below it. There is also a painted coat of arms from which spring a trophy of flags.” Note the sign for Tates Tea House - a well-known Melbourne landmark, located in the basement of the Manchester Unity Building. References: RELIGIOUS PAGEANTRY AND FERVOR MARKED CLOSE OF EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS. (1934, December 10). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved September 14, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205067634 Eucharistic Congress (1934, December 1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 11. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10997817 National Eucharistic Congress, Melbourne. (1934, December 6). The Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1942), p. 28. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104371824 'The year of the Melbourne Eucharistic Congress: 1934.' The Campion Society, https://campion.australiancardijninstitute.org/ch-7-the-year-of-the-melbourne-eucharistic-congress-1934/ 'Melbourne Eucharistic Congress 1934.' Panoramic photograph, https://emhs.org.au/catalogue/emdf0123 The National Eucharistic Congress, Melbourne, Australia December 2nd-9th, 1934. Edited by Rev. J.M. Murphy and Rev. F. Moynihan, The Advocate Press, Melbourne. 'Children of Mary Sodalists', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodality_of_Our_Lady 'Dressing Melbourne for the Duke' (1934, October 1). The Australian home beautiful : a journal for the home builder, p. 21, 58. Retrieved September 14, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2950922209 Photographer notations on slide: "Eucharistic Congress Procession on Swanston St B61" [sic - actually Collins Street].events, religion, parades, catholic church

Made on a long sea journey to Australia. Made by Nora Driscoll O'Donnell on her sea voyage from England to Port MacDonnell.S.A. (near Mr Gambier)A child's white dress with eyelet embroidery known as broderie anglaise with blue ribbon at neck, three buttons at back and drawstring waist. It has a matching half length white cape with eyelet embroidery and collar.costume, infants'