Georgegen

THE STORE WITH

ROOMS TO EXPLORE

From one generation to the next surround yourself, and your home, with things you love.

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HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE

AUSTRALIAN TREASURES

A celebration of creativity across generations

Decorative silver breadboard with engraved design on a wooden surface with yellow flowers.

TIP OF THE HAT TO MR TIPPER

An antique Victorian breadboard which was awarded as a trophy during the period which has been described as Australian cricket’s golden age. It was given to Mr W.A. Tipper an employee of Australia’s oldest department store, David Jones and Co., which commenced business in Sydney in 1838.

Mr Tipper was an active player in the David Jones and Co.’s Cricket Club which was formed in circa 1890. His name appears in newspapers of the time, and he emerges as a renaissance man who was not only skilled on the cricket field but also adept in social pursuits such as singing. In the season opening match on Saturday 17th September 1892, Mr Tipper took five wickets and then went on to be a major part of the musical entertainment of the night.

In 1894-5 Mr Tipper went on to score the highest single innings for which he was awarded this trophy. You’ll find this antique breadboard with a unique history in The Kitchen.

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The [art] field 1968

1968 was a big year for Australian art. Alan McCulloch published his seminal book the Encyclopedia of Australian Art and it was in print for 50 years with five editions. It is known as the bible of Australian art and is handily arranged alphabetically with comprehensive information on every aspect of Australian art – the painters, the sculptors, the critics, the prizes and the galleries.

It rubs shoulders in The Library with the exceedingly rare, and highly collectable, catalogue from The Field exhibition held at the NGV’s new home that same year. At the time, the exhibition was seen by some to be controversial and a threat to Australia’s cultural identity. McCulloch, the Herald’s art critic, railed against the exhibition and called it a “serious threat” to the spirit of Australian painting. In the interceding years the exhibition has become mythologised.

The Library brings together a flock of vintage and antiquarian books and includes both these titles, as well as an eclectic collection of ‘wild books, homeless books’ and the odd art exhibition catalogue from close to home, and far away.

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Painting of a man with white hair and glasses wearing a green shirt and red pants on a green background

The last of the bohemians

Francis Roy Thompson was once described as “one of the last of Australia’s Bohemian painters” who “paints in an incredibly untidy, uncomfortable attic, allows his beautiful white hair to grow nearly to his shoulders, never worries much about where his next meal is coming from”. This evocative portrait of Thompson was painted by Jacqueline Hick for the Archibald Prize in 1962 and is in the collection of the Art Gallery of NSW.

Find out more about Francis Roy Thompson, and other painters, and see what wonderful paintings are available in The Long Gallery.

Credit: © Art Gallery of NSW.

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Doll with red cart and kitchen dresser with kitchen items on a wooden shelf

Celebrating Australian Folk art

A Depression era miniature kitchen dresser with an extensive collection of assembled miniature tin and copper accessories from the 1930s. This is a charming example of a coveted and popular children’s toy made during the difficult Depression years. It exemplifies the ‘make-do’ ethos and the ingenuity of Australia’s homegrown toy-makers. This is an exceptional and rare example of Australian folk art. Find out more in The Carpenter’s Workroom.

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