Book Description

This volume includes 62 colour illustrations and details the use of the Waratah motif in Australian arcitecture and decorative arts. Baker argues that the Waratah motif had figured in almost all of the local branches of the liberal arts and sciences since the Colony's foundation (ie 1788) to his times. In the spirit of Lucien Henry he offered this study as 'a contribution towards the foundation of a National School of Australian Applied Art & Design' so that design students would study the local flora as a source of inspiration. He discusses the various types of NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian waratahs and shows their application in the local architecture, bookbindings, ceramics, enamel tiles, electrical fittings, glassware, horolog, ironwork, lace, modelling, silverware, wallpapers, dados, friezes, windows and woodcarvings. He concludes with articles and legends about the waratah.