Figurine
Maker & role
John Baird (b.1810, d.1878), Sculptor
Production date
1880s
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Object detail
Title
Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 39 x W: 11.5 x D: 10.5cm (H: 390 x W: 115 x D: 105mm)
Subject person
Credit line
Gift, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2006
Caroline Simpson Collection, Corporate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Collection, Corporate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, by John Baird, 1880s
Description
This figurine of Franz Joseph was made by Scottish born immigrant John Baird(1834-1894) in the 1880s. Baird worked as a postman in Sydney and carved a number of objects in kerosene shale as a passtime. An article published in the Illustrated Sydney News, 15th June 1886, attributes the development of his interest in statuary to an early carving in the likeness of his son, who died at the age of seven in 1880.
Kerosene shale, or cannel coal, was Baird's chosen medium, largely due to its ready availability, suitability for carving and low cost. It was mined locally on Sydney's North Shore and at Hartley, near Lithgow, NSW. The carving of cannel coal had its origins in Scotland where coal miners fashioned objects such as love tokens, jewellery and chess pieces from the material. Baird's works were generally small plaques usually depicting members of his family, as well as religious, political, sporting figures and internationally known identities.
Franz Joseph(1830-1916) was born in the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the oldest son of Archduke Franz Karl (the younger son of Holy Roman Emperor Francis II), and his wife Princess Sophie of Bavaria. Franz Joseph ruled as Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary from 1848 until his death and in the years between 1850-1866 was also President of the German Confederation.
Kerosene shale, or cannel coal, was Baird's chosen medium, largely due to its ready availability, suitability for carving and low cost. It was mined locally on Sydney's North Shore and at Hartley, near Lithgow, NSW. The carving of cannel coal had its origins in Scotland where coal miners fashioned objects such as love tokens, jewellery and chess pieces from the material. Baird's works were generally small plaques usually depicting members of his family, as well as religious, political, sporting figures and internationally known identities.
Franz Joseph(1830-1916) was born in the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the oldest son of Archduke Franz Karl (the younger son of Holy Roman Emperor Francis II), and his wife Princess Sophie of Bavaria. Franz Joseph ruled as Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary from 1848 until his death and in the years between 1850-1866 was also President of the German Confederation.
Accession number
HHT2007/10
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