Powerhouse Museum Collection Search 2.5
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User keywords, or 'tags', are words added to object records by other users to enhance their discovery. You can add keywords that may be useful in helping others find this object.

We are experimenting with tagging because sometimes museums describe objects in language that is highly specialist and user added keywords are useful in bridging the 'semantic gap' between the language of the museum and that of the user.

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Here you can find links to other objects in our collection that belong to the same formal classification categories as the object you are viewing. Similar objects
Architectural/Interior Decoration and Fittings > Mosaics

+ 3838 Mosaic panels (2), marble, Florence...
+ A1196 Coloured mosaic on black marble, b...


'Autogenerated tags' are a new feature that we are testing. These tags are generated by passing the object record through the OpenCalais service from Reuters. This service makes a 'best guess' at the names, places, companies and specialist terminolgy that is in the text of the object records.

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2000/126/1 Terrazzo panel, sailing ship, Melocco Brothers, Australia, 1950-1960

The Significance Statement summarises why an object is important and places it in a social and cultural context. An object may be significant for various reasons, including: historical use, rarity, design/aesthetics, new technology or changes in society. Statement of significance
Terrazzo is a form of mosaic decoration, distinguished from other types of mosaic by the use of marble pieces rather than glass or other stones.

Although most prominent and sophisticated in Roman and Byzantine architecture, the craft of terrazzo has been continually practiced in parts of Italy, and was exported by Italian craftsmen during the migrations of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The Melocco brothers established their Sydney business in 1908. Although the company expanded into quarrying and other forms of stonework, decorative terrazzo created the Melocco reputation through a variety of commissions in prominent buildings including the State Library of New South Wales, St. Mary's Cathedral and Central Station.

This panel is a fine example of the intricate method and aesthetic appeal of terrazzo. The delicacy and exactness of both the marble pattern and the brass filigree work is testimony to the patience and skill of its creators. The panel's nautical subject matter is a happy coincidence, given its similarity to the Dutch sailing vessels framing the Tasman Map in the foyer of the State Library of New South Wales, probably the best known work of Melocco terrazzo in Sydney.
Production Notes include information about the design, manufacture and marketing of an object. Production notes
Peter, Anthony and Galliano Melocco came to Sydney from Travesio, an area of Italy notable for the survival of the antique craft of terrazzo. Melocco Brothers was founded in 1908, specialising in terrazzo work and in the manufacture of industrial wash basins.

By the 193Os Melocco was also established as stone merchants and importers, and today the company works over twenty Australian quarries for marble, granite, sandstone and bluestone. In this capacity Melocco produced the stonework for the new Parliament House, Canberra and the Governor Phillip and Macquarie Towers in Sydney, as well as supplying numerous restoration jobs including the Australian Museum and Pyrmont Bridge.

Melocco has been owned by Boral Limited for some time, and this parent company has recently decided to close the NSW office of Melocco and concentrate activities in Melbourne and Brisbane. The terrazzo panel was a feature of the Sydney showroom.
History Notes include facts about what has happened to an object since manufacture. This could include who owned it and how it was used (provenance). It may also describe any cultural meanings with which it may have become associated. History notes
This panel was produced for the foyer of a Sydney office building, but was retained by Melocco as a showroom display piece. Melocco are seeking more complete provenance information.

 This text content licensed under CC BY-NC.

Description
Terrazzo panel, sailing ship, Melocco Brothers, Australia, 1950-1960. One circular terrazzo panel, depicting a three-masted, square-rigged sailing ship at sea, inside gold and maroon borders. Two other similar ships are depicted in the distance.
Terrazzo is formed of small coloured marble pieces set in cement mortar, ground and polished smooth. Brass filigree pieces are used to outline and detail the patterns.

Maker: unknown; 1950 - 1960
The Registration Number of an object is a unique identifying number applied by the museum at the point of acquisition. Current numbering format comprises the year of acquisition, followed by a sequential number. For example, '2007/45' is the Registration Number that represents the 45th acquisition in the year 2007. Registration number
2000/126/1
Production date
1950 - 1960
Depth
100 mm
Diameter
1800 mm

 This text content licensed under CC BY-SA.
Acquisition credit line
Gift of Melocco Pty Ltd.


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