Gaston Brass Bed

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c. 1875

Overview

metal framed double bed with decorative brass inserts

Historical information

Family history has it that this bed was brought out from England by James Furze.

James married Lydia Ann Hatherly at Launceston, England on 7 December 1879. Six months later, the couple embarked on the Corona for South Australia. On arriving in October 1880, James was described as an ‘agricultural labourer’. They settled in Port Augusta. In 1903 the family moved to Kalgoorlie, where James worked as underground manager for the Associated Northern mine. He retired to 16 Webb St., Cottesloe in 1916.

Their seventh daughter Doris married Gallipoli veteran Malcolm Bruce Gaston in 1920. The bed was given to the newly-weds. Because Malcolm’s lungs had been damaged from gas inhalation in Ypres, he was advised to live in a dry climate. He became Secretary of the Mullewa Road Board for 17 years. They later retired to Cottesloe.

Their son, Bruce Furze Gaston trained at the Geraldton RAAF Station. Sent to England, he was attached to their Coastal Command and in 1944 was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross. He then served for six months in the West Indies before returning to Australia. Bruce married Muriel Percea Attey at Claremont on 9 August 1947, and the bed was given to the couple.

From 1966, the bed was used by Bruce and Muriel’s daughter, Leonie who lived in Claremont.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-72-GMOB0637

Item type

Furniture

Width

1430 mm

Height or length

1780 mm

Depth

2100 mm

Themes

Immigration

People

Social History

Contextual Information

This bed is representative of the type of furniture brought out from England by 19th century settlers. It had been manufactured so that it could be easily dismantled for transportation. Double brass beds of this era are not uncommon in local history museums. The importance of this bed is that it has excellent provenance. It is a very good example of how furniture was passed down through family generations.

Keywords

Furze, Gaston

Place made

United Kingdom

Year

c. 1875

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Object’s condition or completeness

Well provenanced

Greenough Museum and Gardens