Lot 2154

Description

Silver presentation baton, 1866, by Julius Hogarth, top end features a seated figure of Apollo with a lyre resting on his knee, below and around the circumference is a seated Aboriginal man, a kangaroo and an emu, below this is a scroll running around and down the baton and this is inscribed, 'Sydney Volunteer Military Band 1866', and the base is in the shape of an acorn. Dent in tip of the acorn base, otherwise very fine and scarce piece of early Australiana by a talented and highly regarded master craftsman.

A similar baton was presented by members of the Sydney Battalion Volunteer Rifles to their band director, Mr D.Callen, on 10 February 1863. In a newspaper article of the day the baton has the following description. 'Designed and executed by Mr. Julius Hogarth of Hunter - Street, which combines simplicity and elegance in a remarkable degree. At the upper-end is an exquisitely modelled figure of Apollo, seated, his famous Lyre on his knee. Immediately below, and in alto-rilievo around the staff, is an Aboriginal black, with an emu and kangaroo on either side. On a scroll, which runs spirally round the centre of the baton, is the following inscription. An acorn forms the lower end of the baton.'