Dough bin
Lid
Maker & role
Stonehill Restorations, Manufacturer
Production date
Jun 1986
Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 84 x W: 102.5 x D: 63.5cm (H: 840 x W: 1025 x D: 635mm)
Credit line
Commission, 1986
Elizabeth Farm Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Elizabeth Farm Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Modern reproduction of orginial dough bin in collection at Camden Park, possibly from Elizabeth Farm.
Description
Reproduction of an original dough bin in the collection at Camden Park, possibly from Elizabeth Farm. Standing on 4 legs, the interior with its outwards flared sides is in two compartments, which were used for mixing wet dough in one while dry flour was kept in the other. The centre divider of the original is missing, but replaced here.
In the early days of the colony when flour shortages were common invitations to dine at Government House apparently required diners bringing their own bread. One invitation however carried a further note - “There will always be a roll for Mrs Macarthur”. It’s perhaps an apocryphal story, but telling of her social status.
At Elizabeth Farm bread was initially baked on site; the remains of a large oven can be seen in the house's 'laundry'. With the establishment of local bakers in Parramatta however it was soon a commodity bought in daily. The quantity was considerable going by the household accounts, where over £7 a month in purchases was recorded in 1823. This description was likely for an order delivered daily, and included provisions for the estate workforce not just the family: 'Paid [Richard] Longford’s for white bread biscuit and buns / 2 brown bread from 6th march to April 1st – £7/10/5 ½' [Elizabeth Farm day book 1821 – 23 (SLNSW MP A3000) entry for April 5, 1823].
The account lists both white and brown bread. Breakfast rolls were likely an exception, baked onsite in small quantities before sunrise and served fresh and warm.
The tops of dougfh bins were often covered and used as an additional woprkspace, such as an ironing board. Of a generic design, it is similar for example to a design illustrated in JC Loudon's 'An encyclopaedia of cottage, farm and villa architecture and furniture' (London, 1833).
In the early days of the colony when flour shortages were common invitations to dine at Government House apparently required diners bringing their own bread. One invitation however carried a further note - “There will always be a roll for Mrs Macarthur”. It’s perhaps an apocryphal story, but telling of her social status.
At Elizabeth Farm bread was initially baked on site; the remains of a large oven can be seen in the house's 'laundry'. With the establishment of local bakers in Parramatta however it was soon a commodity bought in daily. The quantity was considerable going by the household accounts, where over £7 a month in purchases was recorded in 1823. This description was likely for an order delivered daily, and included provisions for the estate workforce not just the family: 'Paid [Richard] Longford’s for white bread biscuit and buns / 2 brown bread from 6th march to April 1st – £7/10/5 ½' [Elizabeth Farm day book 1821 – 23 (SLNSW MP A3000) entry for April 5, 1823].
The account lists both white and brown bread. Breakfast rolls were likely an exception, baked onsite in small quantities before sunrise and served fresh and warm.
The tops of dougfh bins were often covered and used as an additional woprkspace, such as an ironing board. Of a generic design, it is similar for example to a design illustrated in JC Loudon's 'An encyclopaedia of cottage, farm and villa architecture and furniture' (London, 1833).
Accession number
EFR87/41-1:2
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