Trevor Kennedy Collection

The Trevor Kennedy Collection features stunning artworks, furniture, jewellery and ceramics that reveal stories of colonial life and society and defining moments in Australian history, including Federation, the discovery of gold and great sporting feats. It profiles Australian craft and design and artisans who created a new, exciting Australian style.

The Trevor Kennedy Collection: Highlights exhibition of 500 objects was on show at the National Museum of Australia from 21 April to 12 August 2021.

Collection highlights

A ceramic biscuit jar in the shape of a yawning koala. It is painted in shades of brown and cream. - click to view larger image — Yawning koala jar by John Castle-Harris

Two ceramic vases in the shape of Dhufish jumping through waves. - click to view larger image — Wembley Ware dhufish vases

A vase featuring a rich flambe glaze and decorated with red waratahs. The exterior is painted in shades of red, black and blue, and the interior is dark red in colour. Cracking can be seen underneath the glase and there are also a few faults. - click to view larger image — Waratah vase by William Moorcroft

A gold coloured cup on a black circular wooden base. The cup is engraved with the words 'The Sydney Cup / Handicap / 2. Miles / won by / Mr. Taits THE — Sydney Cup by CL Qwist

Taxidermied bird displayed with brown wings behind it in the form of a fan. - click to view larger image — Kookaburra hand-screen

Two painted ceramic door stops in the form of a labrador retriever and a kelpie. - click to view larger image — Labrador retriever and kelpie door stops by McHugh Brothers Pottery

Gold brooch showing a picture of a kangaroo and emu, with a pearl drop at the bottom. - click to view larger image — Openwork brooch with kangaroo and emu

A large water colour of vivid flowering orange blossoms contrasting on a branch with silvery gum leaves and gumnuts. Ornate gilt frame. Marks/inscriptions: Signed Ellis Rowan bottom left hand corner. - click to view larger image — Eucalyptus blossom by Ellis Rowan

Silver tree with small silver kangaroos and emus on a round base. - click to view larger image — Silver centrepiece by J Henry Steiner

A sterling silver dog collar with a brass padlock and lined with dried brown leather. The collar is engraved with 'Mr. Michl. [sic] Farrell / — Dog collar by Alexander Dick

A writing desk made from different woods displaying compartments. - click to view larger image — Travelling writing box or desk by Henry William Broughton

A white square plate embossed and painted with a Kookaburra sitting on a branch with yellow flowers and green leaves against a yellow and purple background, signed on left 'W POWELL' in brown, edges decorated with gold lines and a band of olive green lightly embossed with leaf design, paint missing in some areas. - click to view larger image — Royal Worcester square embossed kookaburra plate by W Powell

Gold openwork bracelet. - click to view larger image — Openwork bracelet with Australian flora and birds by Hogarth, Erichsen and Co

A diamond and platinum brooch in the form of an aeroplane in a blue rectangular box with gold detailing and a push button latch. On the brooch there are sapphires forming the windows and blue enamel on the wings. The side of the plane reads 'VH-USU / Southern Cross'. The interior of the box lid is covered in white coloured fabric and the base is covered in black coloured fabric. - click to view larger image — *Southern Cross* brooch

A gold oval brooch set with a blue opal and depicting a man sitting on a rock fishing in the foreground with trees on either side and a fence. There is a boat in the background and a sun motif at the top. - click to view larger image — Brooch depicting fishing scene

Set of ceramic tableware with detailed embellishments and hand-painted waratahs. - click to view larger image — Royal Worcester waratah ceramics

Trevor Kennedy Collection 4:50

Take a video tour around Trevor Kennedy's Kent Street museum in Sydney and hear the story behind this unique collection of a man with a tremendous vision – one now shared with the nation.

Travelling dressing table

ST Gill watercolours

Sydney Cup emu egg trophy

Oatley long case clock

Thomas Watling portrait of John White

Lucinda steam yacht model

An extraordinary collection

Read Senior Curator Sophie Jensen's reflections on the Trevor Kennedy Collection – the story behind Trevor's inspired collecting and a curator’s delight at exploring his Kent Street museum.

Trevor Kennedy sitting on a chair next to a longcase clock. - click to view larger image — Trevor Kennedy with a 1922 Robert Prenzel longcase clock

Acquired in 2020, the Trevor Kennedy Collection was the Museum's largest and most significant acquisition to date.

The National Museum of Australia thanks Trevor and Christina Kennedy and their family for their generosity, time and support.

Trevor Kennedy:

'I’m pleased that my collection has finally found a new home at the National Museum of Australia and that such a large portion of my collection can largely stay together, retaining its character and integrity.'

'My hope is that these treasures will be seen and appreciated by generations of Australians across the country, giving them the opportunity to explore and better understand our nation’s remarkable history, the quality and traditions of Australian craftsmanship and design and through this the character unique to this nation.'

Digitised records for the collection are being added to the Museum’s website.

Exhibition media release

Vale Trevor Kennedy

Daily, free Great Southern Land

Swayn Centre for Australian Design

Join & support

Daily, free Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden

Springfield

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