Historical information
The hat brush is an example of a domestic object that would have been common to most households in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Significance
The hat brush is significant in that the inscription connects the brush to a prominent hat maker in the Western district whose business can be dated to the late 19th century. The address of the business was 24 Bridge St Ballarat and was owned by Mr Charles Morris.
Physical description
Curved wooden hat brush constructed from light polished timber. The handle end has a small hole in it and the front end is pointed. The bristles are two tone in a circling pattern and cut to follow the curved shape of the wood. There is a chip out of the wood exposing the bristle holes. The brush is stamped with the suppliers name and address.
Inscriptions & markings
C. MORRIS, HATTER, (?) BRIDGE STREET, BALLARAT.
Subjects
References
- City of Ballarat Libraries - Card Box Photograph Photo on Victorian Collections - View east along Bridge Street, Ballarat circa 1890. Shows the premises of C.Morris Hatter on the right side of the photo, the sign is high up.
- Trove - Newspaper Article 'Northern Star' Lismore, Monday 12 April 1920 Trove article on Charles Morris’s wife turning 100 years old in 1920. He and his wife came out on the ship Mirzapore, in 1854. They firstly lived in Richmond before moving to Ballarat. “Mr Morris, who had been apprenticed to the famous London hat-makers, Christy’s, obtained work at his trade in a retail shop, known as Sanderson’s, in Bourke-street, Melbourne, near the old Bull and Mouth Hotel. Later the family settled in Ballarat….”
