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matching colonial taste-victoria
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Villa Alba MuseumCollection of curtains and curtain accessories
... Colonial taste-Victoria... trimmings Colonial taste-Victoria Collection of 7 panels of a sky ...In the nineteenth century, Australian interiors reflected European styles and models. In the second half of the century opulent hanging and free-flowing curtains were augmented by elaborate pelmets, fringes, braids, and tie-backs with tassels. In wealthier homes, imported silks and bullion were the fabrics of choice. This set of curtains and curtain accessories, probably originally fromn a drawing room, are believed to have adorned a mansion in Brighton. The curtains are significant for their comparative rarity of survival in Melbourne, and at the same time, are highly representative of opulent colonial taste in interior decor in the boom period. The curtain panels are of high quality materials and in unusually good condition, indicating they were used in a window with relatively little sunlight shining on them. They can be imagined in a grand room with one or more matching dressed windows.Collection of 7 panels of a sky blue and gold figured silk/wool damask curtain set; 6 tiebacks (3 pairs) with bullion tassels; padded and braided silk "rope" for draping; and 2 cards wound with detached braids and bullion fringe from further curtains and decorations which have not survived. The items appear to be the remains of very fine bay window decoration of the later 19th century, almost certainly used in a Melbourne mansion of the boom period, likely in the 1880s. The 3 sets of curtain tiebacks are particularly grand, featuring tassels made with gold ? bullion fringe. The original bright gold ? finish is still evident in the card on which many metres of detached fringe are wound - the inner layers have been protected from oxidation by the outer layers and are still bright. It is not known on what curtain part this fringe was used (it is clear that nothing has been removed from the 7 damask panels surviving). There may have been pelmets or further sets of curtains decorated with the fringe. The materials and workmanship of all items are of high quality, and would have looked magnificent, fulfilling the tastes of the richest inhabitants of Marvellous Melbourne.curtains, curtain furnishings, 19th century, tassels, window furnishings, gold boom melbourne, interior decoration - melbourne, upholstery trimmings, colonial taste-victoria -
Villa Alba MuseumDecorative object - Suite of seven curtain panels, 1850s-90s
... Colonial taste-Victoria... decoration-19th century Curtains-19th century Colonial taste-Victoria ...The curtains are significant for their comparative rarity of survival, and at the same time, are highly representative of opulent colonial taste in interior decor in the boom period. The curtain panels are of high quality materials and in unusually good condition, indicating they were used in a window with relatively little sunlight shining on them. They can be imagined in a grand room with one or more matching dressed windows.7 curtain panels, all the same size, possibly to fit a 3-light bay window; or alternately, to fit 3 windows in the same room (or something else altogether, if this is not the original total number of panels). Fabric: silk-wool mix, sky blue ground with narrow vertical gold stripes. The fabric is a damask weave with a watered (moiré) finish; the large, woven motif depicts an urn filled with stylised flowers, leaves and curlicues; the spacing of the motifs is more 19thC than older styles using much the same motif. Each curtain drop is decorated with an applied band of narrow, colour-matched gimp braid around the sides and lower end. The bottom hems are weighted with what feels like lead shot. The curtains are lined with sturdy brown cotton. They are gathered at the top edge on drawstring tape; and hand-sewn with small metal hanging rings. Faded vertical bands of sun exposure are visible on most of the curtains, and one panel has a mended tear on a lower side. Otherwise they are in excellent, sound condition.interior decoration-19th century, curtains-19th century, colonial taste-victoria, gold boom melbourne -
Kew Historical Society IncDecorative object - Cotton chintz applique on linen wall hanging [Broderie Perse], 19th Century
This broderie perse' wall hanging was donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1980 by Mrs Joy Ivory. The hanging had belonged to her mother - Amy Grigg - and was used by the latter to demonstrate skills in darning (the red stitching). Provenance includes a certificate dating from 1889 which records an award to Amy Grigg of Pakington Street (Kew) for skills in needlework, issued by the Kew Floral Industrial & Art Society. Amy Grigg later married Albert Watson, the son of John Watson. The latter was an early pastor of the Kew Methodist Church in Highbury Grove, Kew. Both the Watson and Grigg families were early pioneers of Kew. While the hanging was modified by Amy Grigg in 1889, the original textile dates from an earlier period when 'Broderie Perse' (Persian embroidery) was used to create quilts and wall hangings. It is estimated that the hanging dates from the first half of the 19th century. An exact dating will require a detailed examination of the cotton chintz fabrics used to embroider the hanging. This appliquéd wall hanging is one of the earliest textiles in the Kew Historical Society's fashion & textiles collection. Similar examples are held in major international collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum. This example of broderie perse is significant for the cross-cultural influence of Indian textiles on European taste, not unusual given the English foothold in India during this period. Additional interest is due to the mixing of Indian and European textiles in the design, while staying true to the derivation of the design. The textile is both well-provenanced and rare. While it is unlikely to be Australian-made, it is probably an example of a textile brought to Australia during the colonial period that indicates a desire to decorate interiors using items created in and for the English home. On another level, the wall hanging is a fine example of 'women's work' in the first half of the nineteenth century.Small wall hanging, comprised of five panels that are each appliquéd by hand in herringbone stitch using a range of decorative figurative motifs including flora and fauna. The design is based on an Indian palimpore representing a tree of life design. The base textile is a cream linen while the appliquéd figures or shapes are cut from cotton chintz. These additions are probably a mix of Indian and European designs. The quality of the herringbone stitching is very fine. Later stitching in red wool was added in the 1890s to demonstrate skill in darning. The main panel is bordered by a narrow green and ecru braid. It has a narrow tan braid at the top and bottom of the two side panels. A surrounding tan braid around the entire textile is missing in some places. textiles, applique, broderie perse, amy grigg, wall hangings, migration
