RUG, Coloured, wool, ‘BRITISH EMPIRE/ AND/ COMMONWEALTH GAMES/ PERTH 1962’

Small-medium, rectangular, multi-coloured wool rug depicting a view of the Narrows Bridge and Swan River from King’s Park (c.1962) in field of rug, framed by a border of Australian wildflower state floral emblems (as of 1961). No branding or maker’s mark. At front, bottom-centre of rug in grey-brown block font: ‘BRITISH EMPIRE/ AND/ COMMONWEALTH GAMES PERTH 1962’. Border (clockwise from top-right) depicts a collection of bunches of Australian wildflowers; Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnatha) pink-hued wattle flowers, two pinky-red and white vertical striped Banksia, interspersed with various other brightly coloured flowers and ending at text with four open red and black Sturt Desert Peas (Gossipium sturtianum). Within border in top right corner, wattles interspersed with golden shield emblazoned with black swan silhouette. Wildflowers continue along left side of border (clockwise from lower left hand corner), five Red and Green Kangaroo Paws (Arigozanthos manglesii) , pink Common Heath (Epacris impressa) and various multi-coloured flowers reaching to top left corner of rug. Lower left border frames creamy-yellow, light green and grey map of Australia, with clearly defined states and Perth region highlight with a bright red spot. Top of rug framed with multi-coloured floral garland. Field of rug features a central view of the Narrows Bridge and Swan River from Kings Park c.1962. Foreground detail of Mounts Bay Road cutting through text on left side of rug and under bridge, water mirrors red, white and green river ferry passing under bridge towards right side of rug. Background shows three white yachts anchored at South Perth foreshore with housing spread across centre of rug. Hues of purple hills, moving up to white clouds, then blue sky meet floral border at top of rug. No determinable pile direction. On back, rug has heavily stained mid-sections, bordered at each end (top and bottom) by green-grey cotton tape adhered (with glue? not sewn) to rug.

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Collection

History Collection

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