Historical information

The model of the horse and spring cart was made by Mattaeus (Martin) Schaefer. Martin was awarded a Silver Medal for the model at the Bendigo Juvenile Exhibition in April 1879. At the Melbourne Intercolonial Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, 1880, Martin was awarded a gold medal for the 'woodwork of model spring cart' (Bendigo Advertiser 6 March 1880) 'Mr. Schafer (sic) is certainly entitled to the gold medal awarded to him for his very beautiful model of a spring cart. It stamps him as a workman of the highest order' Bendigo Advertiser, Saturday 20 March, 1880, page 1 ‘ Our Excursion trip to Melbourne”
In 1882, he was awarded a first prize for the cart at the Grand National Show, Bendigo. 1885: first prize County of Bendigo Agricultural and Horticultural Society Spring Show.

Physical description

Gold wooden frame, dark mottling on surface. Dark grey mount board, edged in royal blue, cream background behind certificates. Three certificates in frame relating to awards presented to Matthaeus (Martin) Schaefer for his horse and spring cart model. Top certificate: handwritten on buff heavy card background ''1879. Bendigo A. and H. Society, Silver Medal, recommended by the Judges, Model Spring Cart, Martin Schaefer'. Middle certificate: printed on blue card 'Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Grand National Show 1882, Class Jn. Section Extra, First Prize, awarded to Mr. Schaefer. H.M. Marks, Secretary'. Bottom award in frame: light buff card, printed on top 'County of Bendigo, Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Spring Show 1885, First Prize, Wooden Horse and Spring Cart, awarded to Mr. Schaefer. H.M. Marks Secretary'.