Sèvres Vase
Presentation piece
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Vase de Rimini
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"Presented by Commissary-General A Mathieu, on behalf of
the French Republic, to the City Corporation of Sydney, C J Roberts,
Mayor 1879". The large Sèvres Vase de Rimini in
Sydney's Town Hall was a gift which acknowledged in Captain Mathieu's
words "proof of the lively and sincere sympathy of my Government
for your flourishing colony but above all a token of the full
appreciation my countrymen have of the energy and freedom of
the inhabitants of Australia, freedom extended to all, whatever
may be their origin." This spectacular piece from the famous
Sèvres porcelain factory, established in 1738 at the Chateau
de Vincennes, was among the many decorative art items sent by
France for the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, to demonstrate
their rich cultural heritage.
(Image: Vase de Rimini, porcelain, Sevres
, France , circa 1879 STHC 88-450)
Sydney lights up the International Exhibition Building, 1879
Colonial
Architect James Barnet's Garden Palace, constructed for
the
1879 Sydney International Exhibition in the grounds of the
Botanic Gardens, was erected in eight months using electric
lights imported from England so that work could be carried
out at night. It would be another 25 years before the then
Lady Mayoress, Mrs Samuel E Lees turned on the switch to
illuminate the streets of Sydney using power from Pyrmont
Power Station. Sadly the Garden Palace was destroyed by fire
on 22 September 1882 and the Sèvres vase, which had
been transferred to Sydney Town Hall at the conclusion of
the exhibition,
is one of the few remaining exhibits to have survived.
(Image: Chromolithograph, Sydney Exhibition Building ,
1879 STHC – 89-060)
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Mayor Robert Fowler hosts the first party in the Vestibule
On 12 February 1880
Mayor Robert Fowler hosted the first official event in the
newly completed Vestibule of Sydney Town Hall. The Mayor entertained
the foreign
and colonial commissioners to the first International Exhibition
which was held in Sydney between 17 September 1879 and 20 April
1880. Robert Fowler's father, Enoch, founded the successful
Fowler pottery works which by 1879 had relocated to Glebe,
where its production of drainpipes and sanitary wares could
barely
keep pace with Sydney's suburban building boom. Fowler
was among many Sydney personalities to have had his portrait
painted by colonial artist Joseph Backler. Backler was a convict
who was transported to Australia in 1832. After a tumultuous
period incarcerated at Port Macquarie, Backler established
himself as a portrait painter and his realistic images captured
many of the faces of significant colonial personalities.
(Image: Portrait of Robert
Folwer by Joseph Backler, 1880 STHC
88-714) |
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A token of gratitude
| Mayor Charles Roberts
who held the position of Vice-President of the Sydney International
Exhibition, was presented with a spectacular silver centrepiece
decorated with his enamelled initials in the Empire colours
of red, white and blue and the inscription "Presented
to the Right Worshipful The Mayor C J Roberts Esq. JP by
the citizens of Sydney" as a token of their respect
and gratitude for his contribution to the organisation of
the Exhibition.
The centrepiece was crafted by colonial silversmith, William
Kerr who operated a successful business producing trophies,
medallions, jewellery and presentation silver, often decorated
with naturalistically modelled Australian fauna, flora and
figures, from his premises at 544 George Street opposite
the Town Hall.
(Image: Presentation silver centrepiece by William Kerr,
1879 STHC 88-385)
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