Lot 3248

Description

International Exhibition Victoria, 1873, prize medal in bronze (47mm), obverse, J.Hogarth Fec, O.R.Campbell Des, reverse, Stokes & Martin Medallists, edge impressed, 'Mrs A. Timbrell, Silk'. Good very fine.

In 1860 Mrs. Timbrell began the breeding of silkworms and the production of silk. She was then a Victorian, living in Carlton, and her beginning was a purchase from a Mr. McDonald of thirteen silkworms, of the Bombyx mori, the ordinary Chinese species. Under intelligent management the worms were successfully reared and proved reproductive, the result being a large number of fresh worms, and a high average of silk. In 1864 Mrs. Timbrell received her first, and it might almost be said only piece of encouragement, for the Board of Agriculture purchased all her exhibits of silk, and awarded her a bonus of œ20 in recognition of her introduction of a novel industry. Nevertheless, her circumstances were not good, and her horizon not clearing, she accompanied her husband to Queensland, carrying her silkworms with her.

She always kept by her a selection of cocoons for reproduction, and when she arrived at Brisbane she was privileged to obtain her supplies of mulberry leaves from the local Horticultural and Agricultural Society. She remained in Queensland for two years, and during that period her silkworms increased and multiplied exceedingly. The magnificent fruit of her patient, unceasing labours appeared in her splendid cases of silk, unwound and in the cocoon, which she exhibited at the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1866-67, and for which she received honourable mention. A newspaper reported that the jury of the silk section of the Intercolonial Exhibition chose to award the chief prize to Mrs. Pike, of Victoria, while Mrs. Timbrell was of Queensland, the implication being of 'home town' bias.

Mrs Timbrell deserves special encouragement, because of her indefatigable energy, and it is to such as her that Victoria chiefly owes the establishment of sericulture as an industry. It is remarkable that this lady was the very first who sent any exhibits from the neighbouring colonies, and later, she was among the foremost to present her valuable exhibits to the Exhibition Commissioners in aid of the establishment of a sort of industrial museum. She also received the honour of a medal from the Dublin Exhibition. Finding her residence in Queensland unprofitable, she left Brisbane for Victoria taking up residence in North Fitzroy.