Objects of Substance - School_Seal

Yard of Smith & Faulkner, Alice Street, Brisbane, c. 1909. Image courtesy: State Library of Queensland.

It is with great joy that historians unearth and subsequently learn from objects like these – ones that we can physically touch – tangible pieces of history. To make an item like this visible to our community is meaningful for many reasons: the quality workmanship, the decorative elements, the longstanding use, and the traditional practice – highlighting that even humble, functional objects can be thoughtfully manufactured and delicately hand-painted. This careful consideration for our everyday conventions is something that we should replicate today, in many things, for these are the important lessons we can learn from the past.

Dr. Dominique Baines Archivist