5. Decorative Arts – Ceramics, Glassware, Silverware and Furniture
The ceramics, glassware, silverware and furniture collections reflect more modest and narrowly defined areas of acquisition pursued by family members at different times during the development of the collection. Within these special areas excellent and valuable examples were acquired, with other examples being added since the collection came into public custody.
The collections are housed in the State Library of Tasmania in accommodation which was designed to meet the need for high quality presentation of museum objects, as perceived in the 1960s, and to preserve the atmosphere of a gentleman’s residence.
Ceramics
Scope
There are over 400 accessioned groups of china in the collection, 48 of which have been added since 1966. They range from single items to a complete dinner service of many items, making a total of approximately 700 items in all.
The collection reflects Mrs. Henry Allport’s collecting interests and is centred upon English factories from Bow onwards, resulting in a collection which, on a small scale, is representative of the output of English porcelain in the hundred years after 1745. It also includes a small group of Chinese and Continental pieces. English-made pieces for the colonial market have also been added to the collection since 1966.
The collection also includes a few examples of pieces connected with colonial Tasmanian individuals and organisations (such as Sir John Franklin, the Union Club and the Wesleyan Sunday School, Longford).
The purpose of the collection is to continue the modest representational intention of the original owners, providing an interesting overview of English porcelain from the mid eighteenth century using examples of high quality.
Advice from several reputable sources and from international visitors suggests that the collection is substantial in Australian terms and is comparable with some highly regarded collections in England and Wales.
Future Development
- Developing the collection to fill gaps, and create a better balance between the different styles and factories. (For example Chelsea, Rockingham and Worcester are at present better represented than New Hall)
- Expanding the collection to include a small number of select pieces that pre-date or post-date the body of the collection. This will allow the existing collection to be set in a broader historical context and thus enable a more meaningful interpretation. These pieces will not be regarded as extending the defined parameters of the collection but rather as accessories that will enhance appreciation and understanding of the existing collection.
- Further selective acquisition of items connected with Tasmanian individuals and organisations.
Glassware
Scope
The small collection of glassware comprises 125 items, of which only four new acquisitions and four replacement pieces have been added since 1966. The collection includes drinking vessels of various kinds, decanters and finger bowls manufactured between 1730 and 1850. Some late nineteenth and early twentieth century Allport family pieces are also included. There are some examples of the more fanciful productions of such factories as Nailsea and Bristol. Among the wine and ale glasses are a number with air twist stems and engraved bowls. Also, there are some characteristic pieces of cut glass by English factories, established in Ireland in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries to avoid the glass tax imposed in England.
Future Development
- Although the collection of glass is not regarded as a priority, a passive approach to development will be adopted to take advantage of opportunities to enhance the collection through donations, bequests, and serendipitous purchase.
- Replacement of damaged or inferior pieces will be a significant factor in acquisition decisions.
Silverware
Scope
This collection now numbers almost 350 items, of which only sixteen have been added since 1966. Initially acquired and developed by Henry Allport, it is representative of high quality English silverware, primarily comprising smaller domestic items dating from the late sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century.
Future Development
Future acquisitions to the silver collection will be highly selective, with the intention of filling gaps within existing groups rather than developing new ones.
Furniture
Scope
The furniture collection contains a broad range of approximately 200 pieces. It is largely representative of English furniture of the period 1680-1830, and was mostly acquired overseas by Henry Allport together with some purchases at local sales. It reflects his eighteenth century interests and is unusual because of its European rather than colonial content.
Some colonial items dating from 1830 are included, notably cedar and mahogany bookcases and other family pieces obtained by donation or purchase from a family member after 1966.
Future Development
- As a family collection the furniture group is regarded as largely complete, but the collection may be expanded in a limited way to include a small number of select pieces that pre-date or post-date the body of the collection. This will allow the existing collection to be set in a broader historical context and thus enable a more meaningful interpretation. These pieces should not be seen as extending the defined parameters of the collection but rather as accessories that will enhance appreciation and understanding of the existing collection.
- When opportunities arise, contemporaneous objects which assist in the display of the collection (for example, an attractive cabinet to display curios and other objects) will be acquired.
Objects of historical interest
There are several items in the collection which do not fit into the categories listed above.
Scope
Most have Allport family association either directly, eg. Joseph Allport’s wig and wig box, Morton Allport’s shotguns, Mary Morton Allport’s archery target, bow and arrows and her paint boxes; or indirectly, as objects acquired by Henry Allport or his father, Cecil, such as scrimshaw, card cases, jewellery and plates for bank-notes.
Other items have been donated to the collection since 1966 (these include a sextant, two plaques and a medal).
Future Development
- The intention is to continue to acquire such items only if they have direct Allport family association or relate directly to an item already in the collection.
- When the opportunity arises contemporaneous objects which assist in the display of the collection (for example, a set of brushes to place on top of a dressing table) will be acquired. These acquisitions will not be given high priority.