In 1879 Sydney held Australia's first international exhibition, a showcase of invention and industry from around the world. An imposing Garden Palace was built in the Domain to house the exhibition. Visitors totalled 1,117,563, a remarkable achievement in a colony with only 650,000 inhabitants. After the Exhibition closed the Garden Palace was dedicated to the 'recreation of the people' (SMH, 23 September 1882), and a Technological, Industrial and Sanitary Museum set up in the south-west corner. Objects were sought from exhibitors and the Museum was only weeks away from opening when the Garden Palace burnt to the ground in one of Sydney's more spectacular fires. Undaunted the curator started again and on 15 December 1883 the Museum opened in the former Agricultural Hall in the Domain. This Museum later moved to Ultimo and today is the Powerhouse Museum.

A range of souvenirs were produced for the Exhibition usually featuring an image of the exterior of the Garden Palace. In 1879 Sydney held Australia's first international exhibition, a showcase of invention and industry from around the world. An imposing Garden Palace was built in the Domain to house the exhibition. Visitors totalled 1,117,563, a remarkable achievement in a colony with only 650,000 inhabitants. After the Exhibition closed the Garden Palace was dedicated to the 'recreation of the people' (SMH, 23 September 1882), and a Technological, Industrial and Sanitary Museum set up in the south-west corner. Objects were sought from exhibitors and the Museum was only weeks away from opening when the Garden Palace burnt to the ground in one of Sydney's more spectacular fires. Undaunted the curator started again and on 15 December 1883 the Museum opened in the former Agricultural Hall in the Domain. This Museum later moved to Ultimo and today is the Powerhouse Museum.

A wide range of souvenirs was sold at the Exhibition, some produced locally but many imported. Their popularity is indicative of the success of the Exhibition. Most featured the distinctive design of the Garden Palace.

Box, Sydney International Exhibition 1879, wood / metal / paper, maker unknown, Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, 1870s

A small rectangular wooden box, varnished in a light colour. On the hinged lid of the box is an oval shaped view of the Sydney International Exhibition buildings including the Garden Palace, a landscape with people, trees and clouds. The box has hinged lid and small decorated pressed metal latch which opens to reveal unvarnished interior with some ink stains on the lid. Mottled blue paper is adhered to base

Made: Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland; 1879

85/1518

1879

40 mm

95 mm

65 mm