An ink stand valued at $29,000 and a one pound bank note dating back to 1860 have been donated to the Ipswich Art Gallery collection.
Arts and Community Development Committee Chairperson Cr Kylie Stoneman said these and other artwork and heritage items had been acquired by the Ipswich Arts Foundation Trust and donated to council.
The silver emu egg ink stand, created by German-born South Australian silversmith and jeweller Joachim Matthias Wendt in 1870, was part of his award-winning silverwork of that period.
The 26 x 28 cm piece is made of sterling silver, glass and ebonised wood, with an emu egg on top.
The Bank of Australasia Ipswich, Queensland Branch one pound promissory note dates back to 1860 and is worth an estimated $2500.
The note was printed by Perkins Bacon & Co, the printer of books, bank notes and postage stamps, most notable for printing the Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp.
A pair of oil painted clam shells, circa 1900 and worth $9500, were also acquired, plus at WWII army blanket, made by the Ipswich Woollen Company in 1941.
Cr Stoneman said the gallery was grateful for obtaining these significant items.
“Acquisitions detailed … have been acquired by the Ipswich Arts Foundation Trust for further development of the City of Ipswich Collection,” she said.
“The Director, Ipswich Art Gallery has identified the items as having a direct connection to the cultural heritage and aspirations of the Ipswich region and their acquisition makes a significant contribution to the City of Ipswich Collection. The artworks comply with the City of Ipswich Collection Policy.
“The addition of these assets to the City of Ipswich Collection increases the diversity of the collection for our future generations and contributes to the strategies and outcomes of Council’s Advance Ipswich policy.”
