• Title
  [Elizabeth Rouse, ca. 1825-1830] / watercolour on ivory miniature
• Call number
  MIN 77
  
• Level of description
  fonds
• Date
  
  ca. 1825-1830 (dated from dress)
• Type of material
  Graphic Materials, Watercolours
• Reference code
  431392
• Issue Copy
  Digitised
• Physical Description
  Drawings - 1 watercolour on ivory miniature encased in gold oval shaped frame set as a brooch with glass front and design of two ribbons crossed at sides and top and bottom of frame. Encased in an oval compartment on the reverse, covered in glass, is plaited, interwoven human hair, brown and grey-white in colour. Across the centre of the back is a brooch pin and C-shaped catch. - 5.4 x 3.9 cm. (portrait, sight) 3.1 x 2 cm. (inset for hair, sight) - 7.2 x 6 cm. (frame), 5.7 cm. (length of pin)
  
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
  
  Elizabeth Adams, born in 1772, was the daughter of an Oxford victualler. In 1796 Elizabeth married Richard Rouse who became Superintendent of Public Works and Convicts at Parramatta after the couple migrated to Sydney in 1801. The Rouses were granted extensive tracts of land under Governors King and Macquarie, including 450 acres near the site of the battle of Vinegar Hill (Rouse Hill estate). -- Reference: Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol.2, 1788-1850. Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, 1967
• Scope and Content
  Elizabeth is clothed in a dark coloured cotton dress with an embroidered muslin collar and a shawl pinned with a square brooch at chest. Her hair is covered with an indoor cap of [embroidered net?] decorated with ribbon.
• Access Conditions
  
  Access via appointment
• General note
  
  According to the style of dress and age of Elizabeth, it is believed that the portrait was executed ca. 1825-1830. The inscription on the reverse of the brooch dates from the year of her death.
  A similar portrait of Elizabeth Rouse, painted by William Griffith (ca. 1808-1870) in 1847 is held in the Hamilton Rouse Hill Collection. See: Scott Carlin, "The Elizabeth Rouse Mourning Brooch" in Australiana, May 1994, pp. 49-53.
  This item has been digitised as part of the Nelson Meers Foundation Benefaction, 2002
  Digital order no:Album ID : 874420
• Signatures / Inscriptions
  
  Engraved on reverse, "Mrs E Rouse / Obt 26th Decr 1849 / At 76 Years"
• Name
  Rouse, Elizabeth, 1772-1849
  
• Subject
  Brooches.
  Mourning jewelry.
  Portraits, Australian--19th century.
  
• Exhibited in
  
  Nelson Meers Foundation Heritage Collection - State Library of New South Wales (January - March 2004)
• Open Rosetta viewer
  IE1051025

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