Canister
Lid
Maker & role
Willow
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Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
1:2, H: 13.5 x Diam: 13cm (H: 135 x Diam: 130mm); 3:4, H: 16 x Diam: 15cm (H: 160 x Diam: 150mm); 5:6, H: 18.5 x Diam: 17cm (H: 185 x Diam: 170mm); 7:8, H: 20.5 x Diam: 19.5cm (H: 205 x Diam: 195mm); 9:10, H: 23.5 x Diam: 22cm (H: 235 x Diam: 220mm)
Credit line
Gift, Jenni Whitford and family, 2020
Susannah Place Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Susannah Place Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Set of five kitchen canisters with honeyeater designs by Robyn Hill, provenance of Ellen Marshall, former resident of No 62 Susannah Place, 1962-1990.
Description
This set of five kitchen canisters with honeyeater designs by Robyn Hill belonged to Ellen Marshall, who lived at Susannah Place between 1962 and 1990, in 62 Gloucester Street, The Rocks. The manufacturer’s brand logo ‘Willow Australia’ is impressed on the base of each tin. Generally designed to fit inside one another ‘Russian doll’ style, for ease of packing and shipping, Willow canister sets graduate in size. The sizes often relate to what was stored within, depending on the volume used. Some sets were sold ready-labelled, typically flour, sugar, sago or rice, tea, and coffee, but Marshall’s tins are not labelled. The largest in Marshall's set (used for flour) is 23.5cm high and 22cm in diameter, the smallest 13.5cm high and 13cm diameter. The decorative nature of these types of tins meant they were often kept on open display in the kitchen, ideal for homes with limited cupboard space and for keeping staple ingredients at easy reach. At different times they sat on top of the dresser in the Marshall’s balcony kitchen, and on a cupboard in the middle room. Fading of the largest tin in Ellen Marshall’s set suggests it was the most commonly used, and the smallest three also show evidence of wear.
Shown in pairs, the honeyeaters depicted on the canisters (from largest to smallest) have been identified as White-naped, Scarlet, Yellow-faced, Pied, and Yellow-throated species, each in the branches of different flowering bushes or trees. Complemented by light olive-green lids, they demonstrate Marshall’s love of flora and fauna.
Shown in pairs, the honeyeaters depicted on the canisters (from largest to smallest) have been identified as White-naped, Scarlet, Yellow-faced, Pied, and Yellow-throated species, each in the branches of different flowering bushes or trees. Complemented by light olive-green lids, they demonstrate Marshall’s love of flora and fauna.
Accession number
SP2020/95-1:10
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