Consultation with Artlab Conservators and the Red Gum Bookcase Talk at the Clare Library, Clare, SA

Kristin Phillips, Principal Conservator Textiles and Justin Gare, Senior Objects Conservator ran a Consultation with Artlab Conservators session at the Clare Library, SA on Saturday 10 August 2019. This was well attended with many people seeking advice about items ranging from felt toys to musical instruments. Peter Lane from the South Australiana Society also had a display of objects and publications.

During the consultation process Kristin and Justin got to see some wonderful items such as Barb’s Wedgwood jug, which was owned by the family and Barb never knew much about it. Justin dated it to be around the 1890’s Aesthetic period and remarked how well Barb had looked after the jug, saying it was in excellent condition. Justin said the greatest risk to the jug was breaking it and suggested how to transport the jug. He also made a suggestion to Barb to write down its history so that other family members would know how it came to be in the family collection.

Kristin consulted with a visitor who bought along a tatting table cloth. Tatting is a hand-made technique using a small shuttle forming knots and loops and is used to make lace. This table cloth had a very deep edging of tatting and except for a few stains, was a very fine example of tatting. Kristin’s advice was to maintain its good condition, the tablecloth should be stored in an acid-free box with acid-free tissue. Kristin also suggested that the history of cloth be recorded so that the provenance or story of the tablecloth is available for other family members.

Artlab Australia offers this same Consultation Day service on the first and Thursday of the month throughout the year at their Adelaide premises and can offer advice about your family treasures, artworks and historical items. Please refer to http://www.artlabaustralia.com.au/consultation_day.php for details of making a booking.

The Clare Library consultation session was followed by a talk presented by Justin, titled The Red Gum Bookcase, regarding the remarkable story of the 1841 bookcase and elaborated on it's many layers of significance for South Australia and Australia.

The Red Gum Bookcase is the earliest known piece of colonial furniture made in South Australia and Allan Aughey OAM, Former Mayor of Clare and Gilbert Valley Council, donated Kingston’s Red Gum Bookcase to the Clare Library where it is now proudly on display.