Late in 2007 the museum acquired a magnificent Framed Needle Display, created by W. Bartleet & Sons. It features hundreds of needles secured to coloured leather panels, framed within gilded Gothic arches. W. Bartleet & Sons exhibited didactic needle displays at both the 1887 Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition and the Centennial Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1888. They were awarded a First Order of Merit at both exhibitions, and copies of the gold medals received are featured in the display.
The aim of this project is to write an object biography of the Framed Needle Display that addresses: when and for what purpose it was created; the types of needles presented and the trades for which they were manufactured; and the mode of display. The priority issue is to ascertain when and for what purpose this piece was created. As W. Bartleet & Sons obviously had a propensity to display its wares at International Exhibitions, a study of exhibition catalogues will be vital to uncovering more about the company’s and the object’s history. It will also be necessary to explore the local distributors of such products. This research will not only allow us to uncover more of this object’s hisotry, it will also expand our knowledge of commerce in Melbourne in the late nineteenth century.
The variety of needles displayed provides insight into the types of trades common to the period, and the process of manufacture. It will be interesting to compare the needles presented in this piece with other didactic displays known to exist in other collections. This piece, presented as a work of art, was created to impress potential purchasers. Its creators adopted a design aesthetic common to the period: high Victorian Gothic. A brief discussion of this aesthetic, especially in terms of exhibiting, is necessary to fully understand the significance of this piece.
The project will require the student to spend time at Moreland Store and Melbourne Museum; a desk will be provided for their use at both campuses. The student will have access to the collection, the museum’s database and museum libary. The student will be expected to use the resources of the SLV and University of Melbourne library, and to make contact with other museums, nationally and internationally, known to hold material by W. Bartleet & Sons.
The student should be undertaking a relevant degree in history, museum studies/art curatorship, or related heritage studies; have some research experience and a desire to engage with material culture.