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Muffineer - Suffragette, Saunders & Shepherd, Silver, 1908
Reg. No: HT 17185
- Summary:
- Sterling silver, suffragette muffineer modelled as a woman wearing early 20th century dress, manufactured by Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders and James Francis-Hollings-Frank-Shepherd of London. It was registered between 28 March and 7 April 1908 in Chester, England.
Also known as a spice or sugar shaker, a muffineer is a castor used for sprinkling sweet spices on to food, such as bread and muffins. The head can be removed for the purposes of filling the muffineer with spices, and the bonnet has shaker holes. The figure has a sandwich board over its body which holds a protest placard at both the front and rear. It is an unusual souvenir of the suffrage movement, produced during its height of activity in England during the early twentieth century. The term suffrage refers to the mobilization of the suffrage movement in America, England, Australia and New Zealand between the 1880s and 1920s. The first wave of feminism created a new political identity for women with legal and political advances and social emancipation. The suffrage fight was wrapped up in issues to do with social justice and equality, social reform, particularly at home and in the workplace.
Circa 1970 the muffineer was given to an antique jeweller in Melbourne; the item's provenance before then is unknown. The muffineer was kept in the jeweler's family until 2007, when it was donated to Museum Victoria. - Description:
- Sterling silver pepper shaker in the shape of a woman in early 20th century dress. Bonnet band and ribbon gold plated. Head with bonnet has 'shaker holes' and acts as a removable top for refilling the shaker with pepper. Leather base. The shaker has a front and a rear placard holder, into each of which is slotted a removable yellow acetate placard.
- Acquisition Information:
- Donation from Ms Dimity Reed, 2007
| Discipline: | History |
| Dimensions: | 85 mm (Height), 22 mm (Width) |
More information
| Tagged with: | wars conflicts, world war i 1914-1918, women s suffrage, suffrage movement |
| Themes this item is part of: | Women's Social Political Union (WSPU) - Emmeline Pankhurst, Saunders, Shepherd & Co Suffragette Muffineers, World War I & the WSPU, Suffragette Muffineer - History & Context, The Militant Suffrage Movement in Great Britain, Public Life & Institutions Collection |
| Primary Classification: | POLITICS & PUBLIC PROTEST |
| Secondary Classification: | Gender Politics |
| Tertiary Classification: | souvenirs |
| Inscriptions: | Printed in red upper case lettering on front placard: 'WE CAN MAKE THINGS HOT FOR YOU.' Printed in red upper case lettering on rear placard (very faint with wear): 'VOTES FOR WOMEN.' The reverse side of each placard has been inscribed in pencil: Reverse of front placard: 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP YOUR COUNTRY?' Reverse of rear placard: 'YOUR KING & YOUR COUNTRY NEED YOU.' There are hallmarks on the side of the figure's skirt and the bonnet which have been identified as: Chester England 1908; Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings -Frank-Shepherd, London. |
| Manufacturer: | Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Frank Sheperd, London, England, Great Britain, 1908 |
Themes
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