This hand embroidered fire screen was embroidered by Winifred Caroline Henty Hindson (1887–1967), Elsie May Eliza Hindson (1880–1968) and Louisa (Louie) Charlotte Frances Hindson (1885–1963) three of the daughters of Alice Henty and John Hindson. Their grandfather, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew.The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Multicoloured silk embroidered floral composition on a black fabric background created by Louisa, Elsie and Winifred Hindson. The embroidery is held behind glass and is protected by blackened wood at the back. The screen is suspended in an ebonized and gilded frame with two rows of spindle decoration. fire screens, women's work, embroidery - 20th century, elsie hindson, louisa hindson, winifred hindson

The Henty family and their descendants were notable settlers in Australia, initially in Western Australia, then in Launceston and finally in Victoria. While most family members settled in Victoria from 1834, others remained in England and in Tasmania. The portrait was purchased by the Society as part of a small collection of Henty memorabilia and portraits from the owner of Moorabool Antiques, Geelong in 2021, which had in turn acquired the item from the estate of Dennis Alston of Alston's Antiques in Hamilton, Victoria.Members of the extended Henty family were notable British settlers of southeastern and southwestern Australia. The connection to Kew (Vic.) is that members of the Henty family owned important mansions in Kew in the 19th century. Stephen George Henty's family lived at 'Findon', and Francis Henty of 'Merino Downs' in the Western District lived in his final years at 'Field Place', Kew. Alice (Henty) Hindson, born in Portland in 1852, died at 'Field Place' in Kew in 1932. She was the daughter of Francis Henty. The portrait has added artistic and aesthetic significance as a signed photographic portrait by Lafayette Photographic Studios, Collins Street, Melbourne. The studio flourished from 1906-1930. Photographic portrait of Alice (Henty) Hindson (1852-1932), one of the daughters of Francis Henty and Mary Ann Lawrence, taken and signed by the internationally renowned London photographer 'Lafayette'. The oval photograph is encased in a brown calf skin case. The portrait represents the sitter in middle age, wearing a black dress and a white lace collar. Alice Henty had married John Hindson in 1875 at Trinity Church, East Melbourne. The couple were to live at 'Shrublands' in Canterbury from 1883. Her husband died in 1919 and it is likely that the portrait was taken after that date. She was to donate 'Shrublands' to the Anglican Church in 1923, after which it became St John's Home for Boys (and girls). Alice Henty's sister Louisa Henty died at her home 'Field Place in 1924. Alice was also to die at Field Place in 1932. Signed: "Lafayette / Melb."henty family, alice henty, alice hindson, shrublands, field place, john hindson, francis henty, louisa henty, mary ann lawrence, mary ann henty, lafayette photographic studio -- mebourne (vic.)