HISTORY:
We acquired this trivet not for it's function (to protect kitchen or dining table surfaces from hot items) but the main attraction was the lovely REAL timber surrounding the central ceramic disc, with artwork.
The timber surround:
The swamp oak is a tree discovered (amonst many other trees) by the early settlers in NSW but it seems that this tree can also be found in Western Australia. A hardwood with a uniform grain, very tough and as a tree it can grow to 30 metres height. I have found some early settler documentation stating that this timber was useful in shipbuilding apparently although most references I find this timber being used for carpentry and the like. This piece of wood has had a light, satin seal applied.
If you would like to know more about this species, take a look HERE
The ceramic disc:
Obviously it has seen better days but the ceramic disc remains in reasonable condition. The scene looks to be an early Australian rural setting, Eucalytus trees to the centre across to the left, a stream through which a cart with horses is passing. Off to the right side seems to be a row boat and someone is in the riverside reeds and scrub bush.
This artwork is transferware, not hand painted.
DIMENSIONS:
Overall: 198mm diameter (7 3/4") x 19mm thick timber
Central disc: 152mm diameter
WEIGHT: 680g
IDENTIFICATION:
On the underside is handwritten
SWAMP OAK
5-1-1991
GR BOX
We have always presumed this is the craftsman who created this trivel, we take our hats off to you and placed our pots upon your creation, thank you Sir!
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Timber:
CLEAN
UNSTAINED (Spills, Liquids Etc)
NO marking such as scratches
Satin seal is in good condition
Ceramic Disc:
While the artwork is in pretty good condition and the colouring is still vibrant, the same cannot be said for the ceramic disc ...
It can be clearly seen that there is some fine cracking across the entire disc. The disc is still very secure (it does not move at all when pressure is applied) and these cracks just detract a little from the artwork scene.
To maintain the current condition, this trivet has been placed in a sealed clear plastic package awaiting a new home to live in
