One of the most significant collections of Australian colonial silver will be on display at Werribee Mansion for the next five years. Through its foundation, the Vizard family has loaned the mansion about 70 unique pieces of historic Australian silverware valued at about $800,000.
The collection, which includes ornate trophies, cups, vases and tea services, will be displayed in rotation from mid-October. One of the highlights of the collection is a roller polo trophy that features a player on roller skates and a hockey stick on top of an emu egg with silver gum leaf patterns.
Foundation chair Andrew Vizard said the foundation started acquiring the silver about 25 years ago. Many of the pieces commissioned by wealthy colonial families for both personal use, and as trophies and gifts of acknowledgement.
“Numerous pieces were presented as departing gifts to distinguished office bearers of the colony, such as Charles La Trobe and Sir Graham Berry, and were taken back with them to Europe,” Mr Vizard said.
“At first the silversmiths copied classic European designs, but then they began incorporating Australian items into their work, such as Emu eggs, native animals and gum leaves.”
Charlene Macaulay
