Miegunyah Press/Melbourne University Publishing
9780522853797
In 2004 the Macquarie collector’s chest was acquired by the Mitchell Library, where it was re-united with its twin, the Dixson Galleries chest, which had been acquired by the library in 1937. The newly-arrived chest had been in storage in a Scottish castle for more than one hundred and fifty years since its departure from Australian shores in 1822. The chests had been created more as ‘cabinets of curiosities’ to display paintings and samples of fauna for pleasure. Made in part from rosewood and red cedar, both native to New South Wales, the chests are examples of the fine furniture created in the colony. Elizabeth Ellis, has produced a fascinating, detailed investigation into the provenance of the chests. The story covers personal and professional ambition, the lives of the convict artists and craftsmen who worked on the chests and the development of skilled labour under Macquarie, all set against the background of the infant colony.
Books in Print staff review by Chris *****
In 2004 the Macquarie collector’s chest was acquired by the Mitchell Library, where it was re-united with its twin, the Dixson Galleries chest, which had been acquired by the library in 1937. The newly-arrived chest had been in storage in a Scottish castle for more than one hundred and fifty years since its departure from Australian shores in 1822. The chests had been created more as ‘cabinets of curiosities’ to display paintings and samples of fauna for pleasure. Made in part from rosewood and red cedar, both native to New South Wales, the chests are examples of the fine furniture created in the colony. Elizabeth Ellis, has produced a fascinating, detailed investigation into the provenance of the chests. The story covers personal and professional ambition, the lives of the convict artists and craftsmen who worked on the chests and the development of skilled labour under Macquarie, all set against the background of the infant colony.
Books in Print staff review by Chris *****
