POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Medallion plaque awarded to John Devereux for violin at the Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia

Object No. 2004/125/1

Current research suggests that John Devereux was the earliest trained violin maker successfully working in Australia. Trained in England and working with Bernhard Simon Fendt in London, Devereux arrived in Australia in 1854. He appears to have been making instruments by about 1856 and by 1861 he had exhibited at the Victorian Exhibition in Melbourne. Devereux also exhibited in several other colonial exhibitions, however it was the 1866 Intercolonial Exhibition in Melbourne in which he was awarded a medal in recognition of his work. The Juror's Report reads; "In 1861 Mr Devereux exhibited a case of violins, violas, violoncellos and double basses and obtained a certificate. The Jurors have taken practical means of ascertaining the quality of a collection of similar instruments on the present occasion, and congratulate the colonies on possessing so talented a stringed instrument maker, his specimens being admirable in every respect." (see The Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia 1866-67 Official Record (Blundell & Co, Melbourne, 1867), Report & Award of the Jurors, Musical Instruments, Class VI - Section 23b, Stringed Instruments, p.378). Devereux's reputation was obviously on the rise and in January of 1868 The Argus newspaper reported that he had met with the visiting Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred and presented him with a violin. At this meeting the Duke appointed Devereux "his instrument maker in the colony". The Argus also makes mention of the award of the medal in this article; "Mr Devereux received the gold medal at the late Intercolonial Exhibition, for samples of his exceptional industry." (The Argus, 15/1/1868 p.5). After this time Devereux mentioned his royal appointment on his maker's labels. Michael Lea Curator, music & musical instruments July 2004.

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Summary

Object Statement

Medallion plaque, awarded to John Devereux at the Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia, copper / timber, designed by Charles Summers, made by W Calvert, both based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1866 - 1867

Physical Description

Circular copper medallion plaque within moulded timber frame. The large circular medallion was apparently pressed from 2 gauge sheet metal and features an allegorical scene in low relief. The bow of a small sailboat protrudes from the left and a lion on a pedestal on the right. Six young women at centre have disembarked from the boat. The women are dressed in classical gowns and each carries a small treasure as a gift. The group is formally greeted by another woman in classical dress holding a palm leaf. Latin motto around the scene, 'FACIES NON OMNIBUS UNA NEC DIVERSA TAMEN / QUALEM DECET ESSE SORORUM' (They all look different, and yet alike as sisters would). Each woman represents the six colonies of Australia. The reverse side of the frame features a flat backing board with screws and a small metal ring for hanging.

DIMENSIONS

Depth

35 mm

Diameter

305 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

The medallion plaque was designed by Charles Summers and made by W Calvert in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 1866 and 1867. It is one of six hundred and forty eight apparently awarded at the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition of 1866-67.

HISTORY

Notes

Devereux was born in 1810, migrated to Australia in 1854 and died a widower and without children in 1883 at the age of 73. The Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia 1866-67 Official Record (Blundell & Co, Melbourne, 1867) records Devereux as an exhibitor in "Class VI Machinery, Section 23: Mining, Metallurgical, Chemical, Philosophical, Surgical, Musical, Machinery and Instruments". He is exhibitor number 941 and exhibited; "Violin, long pattern, improved tension bar/Viola di Gamba, from model of Antonius Stradinarus's Violin/Made by Exhibitor" (sic.) (p.42) However, under the awards given to exhibitors, Devereux is described as "Manufacturer and Exhibitor of Violins, Violas, Violoncellos, and Double Basses" (p.378). Charles Summers (1825-1878) was an English sculptor, working in Australia from 1853-1867.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased with the assistance of Mr Robert Albert AO, 2004

Acquisition Date

24 August 2004

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