Historical information
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.
Significance
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.
Physical description
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.
Subjects
References
- Fringe, Frog and Tassel: The Art of the Trimmings-Maker in Interior Decoration: Annabel Westman ISBN/ISSN: 9781 71830 0756 Philip Wilson Publishers, London, 2019
