This collection plate is made from Maiden's Blush (Echinocarpus australis). It is an example of the wood turning skills of John Lane who made objects from local timbers in the Macleay district of New South Wales. Although there is some uncertainty regarding its precise age the Technological Museum acquired the plate in 1918 from Mr. C. A. Watson of Waverley, Sydney as a part of a larger collection of wood turning samples. Early on the museum acknowledged their importance as examples of the craft of wood turning and they were loaned to the Bathurst Museum for their educational display in 1919.

Lane's collection was one of a number displayed in the 'Technological Museum' which housed the original Power house Museum collections. It is from the early twentieth century and illustrates the educational goals of the museum. In an era when most people had left school by the age of 15 technological museums provided the public with a useful way for learning practical information. The museum also conducted research on native New South Wales timbers for manufacturers like the coach-building industry. This relationship was reciprocated in donations like this one which illustrated different stages of manufacturing using New South Wales native timbers.

References
Davison, G., Webber, K., 'Yesterday's Tomorrows; the Powerhouse Museum and its precursors 1880-2005', Powerhouse Publishing, 2005

Geoff Barker, March, 2007

The objects were turned by John Lane using wood from the Northern Rivers, New South Wales. They must have been turned prior to 1918 as they were acquired during this year.

Timber turning sample, collection plate, Echinocarpus australis, Maiden's Blush, wood / leather, turned by John Lane, Kempsy, New South Wales, Australia, made before 1918.

A circular turned wooden collection plate with an inset disc of leather in the centre.

Made: 1900 - 1918

Under base, black ink 'Maiden's Blush / 25'

D8891-25

1900 - 1918

32 mm

220 mm