The exact creation date of this chatelaine is unknown, however the hallmarks and engravings on some of the attached objects indicate that this chatelaine was made in the late 1890s. The shark tooth and the liberty bell attached to the chatelaine suggest that the item once belonged to an Australian who had connections to America. The compact, scent bottle lid, and feminine design of the other objects suggest that this wasowned by a woman. The name on the plate indicates that this object may have belonged to someone with the surname Heine. The hallmarks on the scent bottle lid and the compact indicate that they were made in Birmingham, England in the late 1890s, and that the compact was made by H. Matthews. Chatelaines where used by both men and women, usually fastened to a belt or pocket, and small household objects were attached to the main body of the chatelaine by chains. They were only worn by the heads of the household as a display of position and power.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A decorative silver belt hook with small household object attached by chains to a suspended name plate. There are 8 chains and 7 objects; a vesta case, scent bottle lid, compact, shark tooth, bell, button hook handle, container.HEINE/ [plate] CHERRY./ from/ LEO/ May 12th 1899/ [inscription on vesta case] L??S/ Anchor symbol/ x symbol/ lion symbol/ [Hallmark on scent bottle lid] R/ HM/ Anchor symbol/ Lion symbol/ m symbol/ [Hallmark on back of the compact] SYDNEY/ [inscription on shark tooth] Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all inhabitants thereof/ By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada/ [inscription on bell] A01176/ burke museum, silverware, social history, heine

It is not clear what this basket was used for; however the shape and the position of the handles suggests it was used for carrying washing. Cane baskets are commonly used in domestic situations. This basket has no known provenance but is retained for display purposes. This basket is woven with cane. It is oval in shape with a lid attached with wire hinges. The base is concave. There are handles at two ends. basket, cane weaving, household objects

This needle case, probably dating from early in the 20th century, contained knitting needles of various sizes and those needles were probably used in sets of four to knit such items as socks. In the early to mid 20th century many items of clothing and furnishings were hand knitted with the yarn mostly favoured being wool. Today knitting is a hobby taken up by a few and clothes that were once knitted are now bought ready-made. This needle case is of antiquarian interest and is retained for display purposes. This is a cylindrical metal case with a gold-coloured marbled pattern around the case and closed metal ends. One metal end swivels around to reveal four compartments that once contained metal knitting needles. One of these needles remains. The case has printing on both metal ends and on the case body but much of this is now indecipherable. The Crescent Case Best English Knitting Instructions …. antiquarian household objects, history of warrnambool

A dipper was used to transfer clean water to the wash tubCylindrical galvanised iron laundry dipper with handle.laundry dipper, household objects

Item of portable laundry equipment that might have multiple purposes including washing infants.Painted (exterior) galvanised iron oval wash tub. The portable tub has two handles and an overhanging rim.laundry equipment, wash tubs, galvanised iron household objects

Before the introduction of electric irons, various irons were used including flat irons, sad irons, and box irons. These irons were heated on a pre-existing hot surface such as a stove (flat irons, sad irons) or heated internally with a metal slug or hot coals (box irons). Sad irons were heavier than flat irons, as they had a solid block of metal as a base.Flat iron with metal handleflat irons, household objects

Small ceramic tea cosy top Nil tea cosy top, household objects

This pan or pot is a heavy, but small object and does not seem to have been used in a kitchen or for cooking. It is more likely to have been used for decorative purposes, holding artificial flowers or a pot plant or it may have had some commercial use. This object has no known local provenance and is held because of its quality and its potential as a display itemThis is a brass open pan or pot, circular in shape, tapering to a larger shape at the top. A metal handle (copper?) is attached with metal studs and soldering to both ends of the top opening. The inside of the pan is discoloured and stained.vintage household objects, vintage pots

These large tubs had multiple uses including washing clothes or bathing infants or children when water was not connected to the laundry or home in the early 1900's. The water was recycled by pouring it on the garden or fruit trees. It was used for containing crop harvesting too.A large vintage round galvanised iron tub tapering slightly to the flat base. It is seamed on both sides, made from two sheets of iron. It has two handles riveted on the sides and an overhanging rim at the top. It has been painted cream coloured on the inside. There is a wide steel band around the base which has been soldered on.laundry equipment, wash tubs, household objects

Nineteenth century household object employing an Aboriginal shape with art nouveau figurative designDiecast metal plate. Impressed with the figure of a naked figure with a wand in his or her hand touching the nose of a head (the moon?), causing it to sneeze. Lady lying on a bed of flowers. Three stoppers on the reverse to hold the plate above the surface.metal dish, art nouveau - australia

A comprehensive catalogue book: Chandeliers and Billy Tea 1880 - 1940. The front cover has brown tonings and shows a full page photograph of many kitchen and household objects from the past. The title is written in different elaborate lettering inside a square shape towards the top of the cover. The author's name, Peter Cuffley, is printed in white lettering at the bottom. Inside is a Contents page with Catalogue references, a Selected Bibliography, Acknowledgements and an Introduction. There are hundreds of black and white drawings and photographs of household items and general life of the times.non-fictionA comprehensive historical catalogue of the life and times between 1880 and 1940 in Australia of household items, the people, favourite pastimes, life outdoors, travel and adventure, packaging, down on the farm, tools of trade and much more.social history, australian history, family history, history

Calling Card Cases were used by the aristocracy in 18th Century Europe as it was requirement in genteel society to leave a calling card when visiting a household. According to the Hallmarks on the case it was made in 1774 by the Adie Brothers Ltd. in Birmingham, England.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A silver rectangular case that features an angled hinged lid.LID: Lion symbol / B (Hallmarks) LIP: A BROS LTD/ Anchor symbol / Lion symbol / B (Hallmarks) CASE BACK: A157418th century, european

Calling Card Cases were used by the aristocracy in 18th Century Europe as it was requirement in genteel society to leave a calling card when visiting a household. According to the Hallmarks on the case it was made in 1904 by the Williams Birmingham Ltd. in Birmingham, England.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A small rectangular silver calling card case that has an ornate pattern etched into its front.FRONT: WB LD/ Anchor symbol/ Lion symbol/ e (Hallmark)early 20th century

Blacksmiths started forging simple flat irons in the late Middle Ages. Plain metal irons were heated by a fire or on a stove. Some were made of stone. Earthenware and terracotta were also used, from the Middle East to France and the Netherlands. Flat irons were also called sad irons or smoothing irons. Metal handles had to be gripped in a pad or thick rag. Some irons had cool wooden handles and in 1870 a detachable handle was patented in the US. This stayed cool while the metal bases were heated and the idea was widely imitated. Cool handles stayed even cooler in "asbestos sad irons". The sad in sad iron (or sadiron) is an old word for solid, and in some contexts this name suggests something bigger and heavier than a flat iron. Goose or tailor's goose was another iron name, and this came from the goose-neck curve in some handles. In Scotland people spoke of gusing (goosing) irons. At least two irons were needed on the go together for an effective system, one would be in use, and the other re-heating. Large households with servants had a special ironing-stove for this purpose. Some were fitted with slots for several irons, and a water-jug on top. An early domestic object that gives an insight into how the ironing of clothes was done before the electric type irons we use and take for granted today. Iron; small flat domestic iron.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, iron, flat iron, domestic iron, laundery, ironing equipment, sad iron

The first commercially available, Australian-made domestic refrigerator to operate without ice was produced by Edward Hallstrom in 1923. It used kerosene as a power source and was promoted as ideal for outback stations where ice was not available. According to Museum Victoria, Hallstrom introduced the 'Silent Night' which ran on electricity or gas in 1935. However, Hailstorm's great-grandson, stated that the Silent Night refrigerator was introduced in 1928. Although Australians were among the pioneers of refrigeration in the 1850s, the technology wasn't adapted for domestic use until many decades later. The first domestic electric refrigerator was sold in America in 1913. It had an air-cooled refrigeration unit mounted on top of an ice box. The Frigidaire and Kelvinator brands date from 1918 when the first self-contained fridges were sold. Before this food safes were used as well to keep food away from flies and to keep items cool.A significant item used from the late Victorian era until around 1940 when people were beginning to be able to afford domestic refrigerators. After the second world war, most households had replaced their food storage cupboards or safes with refrigerators. The subject item gives a snapshot of domestic life from this time.Wooden kitchen safe with 3 metal perforated panels & 2 shelves inside. Was painted light Green but has been restoredflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, refrigeration, refrigerator, food storage, food safes, edward hallstrom

A hat coat and umbrella stand is a device used to store hats and often coats on, and umbrellas within. Some catalogues in Europe marketed this furniture as a portmanteau from the French words Porter (carry) and Manteau (cloak). The front hall was the introduction to the house, and as such was an important part of the Victorian home. Furnishings were selected not only to make it a useful place to hang a hat and coat, store an umbrella and leave a calling card but also to show family wealth, social position and knowledge of current styles. A hall stand or a hat rack was the most important piece of furniture in homes at this time. New and more elaborate designs began to appear about 1840, as homes became larger and social visits became more structured. Usually made of wood and standing at least 1.5 meters tall, they have a single-pole making up most of the height, with a sturdy base to prevent toppling, and an array of lengthy pegs or hooks at the top for placement of hats. Smaller houses had smaller front halls, so a single-pole type as by the 1920s houses had become smaller. A household furniture item possibly from the 1920s that was common in houses from the early 1840s, it's significance is social, demonstrating how furniture trends change over time with the more elaborate the item the more social standing was attributed to the owners' position in society. even today persons association and ownership with inanimate objects tend to represent their social standing along with their financial and community acceptability. Coat rack with four curved legs, circular holder for umbrellas and walking sticks. Four metal hooks, screwed onto main column of stand. Condition: one curved leg broken. 2 hooks broken.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

An ink stand was a basic household item in the homes of the more affluent people in past generations before the more common use of the fountain pen and the biro (late 1940s). The ink stand in a home would have been used mainly for letter writing. It was also a basic item in business houses in the same time frame. There is no provenance for this particular item but it is of interest as a household object of the past and is useful for display. Wooden base with indentations for two ink bottles and pens and white metal handles (000633.1). Two ink bottles made of cut glass with white metal necks and hinged glass tops (000633.2 and .3). One ink pen with bone handle, brass top and rusty nib (000633.4).Pen marked 229.2 (old cataloguing number) Base has name in handwriting ‘Mrs A.H. Davidson’ (the donor) communication, ink set, writing set, warrnambool

These nails have no provenance but may have been used to hang pictures or as studs for farm buildings etc. Limited significance but typical of nails previously in regular use.These are 13 large iron nails. Two of them are shorter than the others and have a top with a brass edging and a white oval shaped inset of porcelain or enamel material. Eleven of them have an iron top. ‘Coop’s Latest’nails, warrnambool history

This jug would have been used in a household some time in the 20th century. It was probably used to hold milk or could have been used as a vase. It has no known provenance.This jug has no known local provenance and may be useful for display. It has been an attractive object.This is a jug with a blue floral pattern covering most of the jug, except for the white handles. The top and base are edged with gold decoration but this is mostly faded away. The top has a fluted edge and there is a small chip on the lip and a crack at the top.‘Dee’ noritake jug, warrnambool

No information is available regarding this item and it is not known who ‘H.W.’ is. Silver serviettes such as this one were common household items and common wedding presents in the early 20th century. The fact that this one is silver and is monogrammed suggests that it came from an affluent family. It may have been one of a set. Serviette rings are still used today, especially for formal dining occasions. This item is of interest in that it is an example of dining customs in the early 20th century. It is a display item.This is a circular silver object used to hold a folded serviette. It has four hallmarks which indicate it is British made and it has a monogram, ‘H.W.’ It is slightly tarnished and has some small dents. ‘H.W.’ (or ‘W.H.’)serviette ring, warrnambool

This tea caddy, an attractive item, was given to Margaret Fletcher (date of presentation unknown). A tea caddy in the 19th century was a valued object as tea was expensive and was bought in small quantities. The two side containers are for green and black tea and the middle one was for blending the tea mixtures. The caddy was lockable so that domestic workers etc could not have easy access to a valuable commodity. The local provenance of this object and the identity of Margaret Fletcher have not yet been established. She may be related to John Fletcher, the Warrnambool cordial maker or James Fletcher, the Warrnambool lawyer. This tea caddy is of great interest as an attractive artefact from the 19th century and as an example of a household item no longer in use. It is also of interest because it was given to Margaret Fletcher, possibly a local Warrnambool person. This is a polished wood container made in a casket style. The wood is believed to be Coramandel. The casket has curved sides and is on a base with four legs. The lid has a brass hinge and a gold lock with the key and the lock mechanism missing. Inside are three compartments, two with hinged lids with leather tops and zinc linings. The middle compartment has a glass container set in a wooden compartment. The inscription is on a brass plate inside the casket. ‘Presented to Margaret Fletcher as a Mark of Respect’. margaret fletcher, history of warrnambool

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

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

This is a hurricane lamp, so called because the tall glass dome was designed to protect the flame from excessive draft. These lamps were common in households in the first half of the 20th century ( used for house lighting) and later used for camping and out door activities.This item is retained as an example of type of lighting used in pre electricity times.This is a metal lamp with a glass bowl contained within a metal frame with a handle. There is a mantle inside the bowl. On the metal frame and base are various mechanisms for controlling the flame and a place for filling the container at the bottom with kerosene. The metal is heavily rusted with splotches of paint.vintage lighting, hurricane lamps

This is a vintage lamp of unusual design. It would have been used in the first half of the 20th century for household lighting.Coleman lamps were originally designed by William Coffin Coleman around 1900. They run on a variety of spirit and fuels such as kerosene producing a clear white light. This is an interesting example of an early household lamp, retained for display purposes.This lamp has a brass base supporting a composite material vertical handle. On top of the handle is a circular glass bowl surrounding the metal mechanism. There is white printing etched on the glass. The base has a pumping plunger to enhance the quality of the light. There is a mechanism for filling the base and for lighting. The lighting parts are missing.PAT. NO. 1373184 MADE IN U.S.A. Coleman PYREX BRANDvintage lighting, coleman lamp, warrnambool, kerosene lamp, vintage coleman lamp, warrnambool history

This spinning wheel was recovered in pieces from N.S.W. and re-assembled in the 1980s by Les O'Callaghan, a Warrnambool historian and President of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for many years. The spinning wheel is believed to have belonged to Alice Allan (nee Mullaly) who married William Osborne Allan in 1844. They had three sons. William Allan was a pioneer settler who, in 1839/40, established, with his brothers, a property (Allandale) east of the Hopkins River in the area known today as Allansford. During the 1840s the property was divided with William taking up the Allandale section and his brother John taking the Tooram section. William died in 1860 and Alice continued to manage the property with the assistance of her sons until her death in 1887 when the Allandale estate was sub-divided. A spinning wheel such as this would have been an important item in a pioneer settler's home with the wife needing to spin wool or sometimes flax to produce cloth for clothing and furnishings. This spinning wheel is of considerable significance as it is believed to have belonged to Alice Allan, a pioneer settler in the Warrnambool district. This would make it one of the oldest and most interesting items in our collection.This is a spinning wheel made of metal and wood. The base stand has a foot pedal attached to the wheel and other sections of the spinning mechanism abovealice allan of allandale, william osborne allan of allandale, vintage household items, les o'callaghan warrnambool historian

This tub probably dates from the early to mid 20th century and would have been a common item in households in those times. It could have been used for laundry items or for other washing processes in the kitchen. Wash houses in the early to mid 20th century were usually separate buildings or sheds outside of the house.This item is retained for display and discussion purposesThis is an oval- shaped metal tub wider at the top than at the base. It has a ridged top, a strengthening metal band around the base and two metal handles. It is somewhat rusty.vintage household items, warrnambool & district historical society collection

Hip baths, such as this one, were used in past times in households for individuals to bathe. Generally the bath was placed in front of the fire in the kitchen and filled with hot water from the kitchen stove.This item is retained as an interesting memento of past household customs.This tin hip bath for an adult is in the shape of a cradle. The exterior is painted light brown. It has curved edges around the rim with two protruding curved pieces for the bather's hands to grip when getting out of it. The base is concave. It appears to be have been constructed in pieces. The bath is rusted and stained.hip bath, vintage domestic item, bathing practices in the past