Elise Archer,Minister for the Arts
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is a strong supporter of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) and the great educational impact it has on the Tasmanian community.
From today a rare and significant piece of colonial furniture will go on public display for the first time at TMAG.
The rare musk-wood veneered teapoy was recently acquired by TMAG with funds provided by the TMAG Foundation Ltd, the museum’s main fundraising body.
This piece is of immense cultural significance for Tasmanians and I am delighted that it has been acquired for the State Collection.
Securing important pieces like this one for our public collection is the reason we created our matched funding philanthropy initiative, which doubles the value of donations raised by TMAG Foundation up to an amount of $50,000 a year.
This is a fantastic example of the ongoing benefits this initiative provides to our cultural sector, by ensuring fundraising efforts are maximised for the benefit of all Tasmanians.
The musk-wood teapoy is a finely made, highly decorative piece of furniture. As one of only four known Australian-made teapoys this piece is exceptionally rare, and will be the only piece of its type on display in a public institution.
It bears strong similarities to furniture made by colonial Tasmania’s foremost cabinet maker, William Hamilton, circa 1835-50.
I would encourage Tasmanians to visit TMAG to see this outstanding piece, and to consider supporting the TMAG Foundation in their fundraising for future acquisitions.
