Paul Vonthien (1871â1945) the owner of this marking hammer, was one of twelve children born in Jindera to Carl (1833â1908) and Helene Vonthien (nĂ©e Lindner 1834â1878). Paul was to follow his brother Carl Heinrich (Harry) to the Western Australia gold-fields in the midâ1890s, and stayed on after Carl died in Fremantle in 1895. After a […]
Before the invention of radio, television and social media, entertainment was home-made and to this end the piano was an essential piece of furniture in the home and community halls. This quite grand-looking Renardi piano was purchased in 1881 and was at the heart of entertainment in the household of Julius Herman (John) (1825-1914) and […]
If it possible to ascribe personal characteristics based on a photograph this portrait of Julius Herman Rosler (1825-1914) – known as John – suggests a self-confident man determined to make his mark on the world, something he certainly did. One obituary published upon Roslerâs death was subtitled âA Romantic Careerâ which somewhat downplays a life […]
Inspiration comes from many places. Sometimes an objectâs story is much bigger than simply what it is or did. Hinting at what inspired Headlie Taylor’s (1883-1957) innovative agricultural inventions, this comb also reveals the story of the dynamic Henty community the designer was a part of. This comb is known as a short comb, most […]
Headlie Taylor (1883-1957) was a great designer and innovator who, by 1915, had created the machine of his dreams. He just needed a manufacturer and finance to fully realise his ambitions. In January 1916, Australiaâs biggest agricultural industrialist Hugh Victor McKay couldnât make Headlieâs initial demonstration on the Taylor farm, so a follow up visit […]
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