Historic colonial billiard table acquired by the National Museum of Australia

17 November 2022

Australian history carved in relief

Intricate carvings depicting Australia’s early history including colonial bush life, the gold rush and representations of conflict occurring between settlers and First Nations peoples, feature on a unique ‘Australian Colonial Billiard Table’, acquired by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

The table substantially adds to the Museum’s National Historical Collection and supports its mission to tell remarkable stories from Australian history.

It was acquired by the National Museum for $1.1 million, with the support of the Australian Government through the National Cultural Heritage Account, which contributed $550,000.

The National Cultural Heritage Account is a grant program that assists Australian cultural organisations to acquire significant cultural heritage objects.

The acquisition was also supported by the Pratt Foundation and donors to the National Museum’s 2022 Annual Appeal.

The ‘Australian Colonial Billiard Table’ and matching scoreboard is an unrivalled piece of craftsmanship that through the depictions of colonial life and native flora and fauna contributes to an understanding of our national identity and design history.

It was built in 1885 by Sydney-based billiard table manufacturer Ben Hulbert and features ornate carvings by skilled cabinet maker George Billyeald.

The table has a rich history and was displayed at the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London, at Adelaide’s Jubilee Exhibition in 1887 and at Melbourne’s Centennial Exhibition in 1888.

It was also reportedly displayed at Buckingham Palace, where it is suggested that it was admired by Queen Victoria and played upon by billiards enthusiast Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, who was later crowned King Edward VII.

National Museum director Dr Mathew Trinca thanked the Australian Government for its financial assistance with the purchase of the billiard table, which he said is a one-of-a-kind example of Australian colonial furniture making.

‘The craftmanship and design of this piece is extraordinary. This truly unique acquisition, carefully carved from Tasmanian blackwood, perfectly showcases our colonial history, and we are delighted to be able to share it with the nation,’ said Dr Trinca.

Museum Curator Dr Ian Coates, who coordinated the acquisition, said the decorative panels show how European settlers understood their world, and the vision of Australia they wanted to promote internationally.

‘Perhaps most significant are the scenes of conflict between First Nations peoples and colonists included as part of life on the frontier. Such representations of conflict are rare. They are an important part of our national history – subject matter that was ignored for much of the twentieth century, and which now forms part of the truth-telling about what happened in the history of our nation.’

‘The table and scoreboard are magnificent examples of nineteenth-century decorative arts. They are also highly significant for the prominent role they played in the global dissemination of Australian iconography and themes during the late-nineteenth century,’ said Dr Coates.

It will be on display at the National Museum from 17 November 2022 to 12 February 2023.

Background

• The table was manufactured in 1885 by Benjamin Hulbert, a Sydney-based billiard table manufacturer. The ornate panels were carved by George Billyeald, a skilled cabinet maker.
• The table features ornate carvings depicting Australia’s early history including colonial bush life, the gold rush, the discovery of escaped convict William Buckley, the story of lost children in the bush, episodes of conflict between settlers and First Nations peoples, Australian flora and fauna, and the crests of the New South Wales colony and the Prince of Wales, carved in deep relief.
• From the early 1880s Hulbert was a prominent billiard table maker in Sydney who supplied tables to hotels, clubs and wealthy settlers. He had previously won first prize for a table displayed at the 1884 Wealth and Industrial Exhibition held at Prince Alfred Park, Sydney.
• The Colonial Billiard Table travelled widely, including display at the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London, at Adelaide’s Jubilee Exhibition in 1887, at Melbourne’s Centennial Exhibition in 1888.
• According to Billyeald’s family, after its display at the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition, the table was taken to Buckingham Palace, where it was admired by Queen Victoria and played upon by Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, who was later crowned King Edward VII.
• By the 1890s Hulbert had moved to the NSW south coast, working as the publican at the Commercial Hotel in Milton. A visitor recorded seeing the table there in 1895. It was here that he briefly re-established a billiard table factory and an ostrich farm.
• The next record of the table is in New Zealand, in 1912. Displayed in an Auckland shop, it later featured in the Auckland Exhibition. Apparently, it was given as a raffle prize to C. R. Rainger of Auckland, who in 1921 gave it to Ray Court (also from Auckland).
• At some point before 1980, the table passed into the possession of Captain Harry Carey, also from New Zealand.
• In 1980 the table was sold at auction at Christie’s South Kensington, after which it went through the hands of a series of private collectors, before being acquired by the National Museum in 2022.

Media Contact: Matthew Heap 02 6208 5148 | 0459 949 172 or media@nma.gov.au