Fingerplate
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
1880-1900
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Object detail
Measurements
0 - Whole, L: 25 x W: 8cm (L: 250 x W: 80mm)
Credit line
Purchase, 1995
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Two stamped brass fingerplates, 1880-1900
Description
This is one of four identical stamped brass fingerplates in the collection. The raised design of pomegranates and bird shows the influences of the Aesthetic movement of the late nineteenth century. Pomegranates were an ancient motif of both oriental and classical decoration, revived during the Renaissance and then again in the late nineteenth century. With its abundant seeds, the pomegranate was often a symbol of fertility and appeared in various media including textiles, woodcarving and plasterwork. It was used in the second half of the nineteenth century by such luminaries as William Morris who produced his 'Pomegranate' wallpaper design of 1866 and Oscar Wilde who wrote a book of short stories entitled 'A house of pomegranates' (1891).
This item is part of a large collection of builders' hardware acquired from Sydney locksmith and hardware merchant, T H Longshaw. T H Longshaw [Thomas Henry] commenced in business in 1889 from a shop at 279 Pitt Street Sydney. A 1910 advertisement describes T H Longshaw as "Practical locksmith... lock and key importer". The firm opened a new shop at 72 Goulburn Street in c1912 and remained there until 1989. Following Thomas' death in 1919, his son, also Thomas Henry, eventually took up the reigns of the business. A third generation also entered the business and the firm maintained city premises until a ceasation of lease forced a move in 1995. The collection of builders' hardware acquired from T H Longshaw was, according to the family, probably collected in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by Thomas Henry Snr, some accumulated during his time in business and other pieces purchased at auctions.
This item is part of a large collection of builders' hardware acquired from Sydney locksmith and hardware merchant, T H Longshaw. T H Longshaw [Thomas Henry] commenced in business in 1889 from a shop at 279 Pitt Street Sydney. A 1910 advertisement describes T H Longshaw as "Practical locksmith... lock and key importer". The firm opened a new shop at 72 Goulburn Street in c1912 and remained there until 1989. Following Thomas' death in 1919, his son, also Thomas Henry, eventually took up the reigns of the business. A third generation also entered the business and the firm maintained city premises until a ceasation of lease forced a move in 1995. The collection of builders' hardware acquired from T H Longshaw was, according to the family, probably collected in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by Thomas Henry Snr, some accumulated during his time in business and other pieces purchased at auctions.
Accession number
L95/62
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