Imitation and obsolescence

In Australian home furnishings some things are not what they seem; others are puzzling reminders of another era.

At Trunkey Creek in central western New South Wales, the residents of the property Mulgunnia had a roller blind, displayed here, that was printed to look like a Venetian blind.

Tassels to help tie back bed curtains, bellpulls to attract servants, and decorative valances to cover fireplace mantelpieces are rarely if ever seen in the modern home. Nevertheless, these items were typical household furnishings in 19th- and early-20th-century Australian homes.

Most of the items on display were accumulated by a private collector and acquired by HHT Members on behalf of the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection.