Still More Mulga

I wasn't actually planning to buy more mulga wood items but they just seem to keep popping up out of nowhere. I had decided that if I were to buy anymore, they would have to be in excellent condition and very reasonably priced. You would think that this would limit what I would find, but no it didn't. I have found pieces of mulga in excellent condition at both of the last two collectables events that I have attended. The prices were reasonable so they had to come home with me to be added to my growing collection of mulga wood.

The first items are a pair of small vases. I found these on a stall at the Banyo Swap Meet just over a week ago. It actually turns out that the stall holders had been next door neighbours of ours, probably 25 to 30 years ago. It's a small world, isn't it. This swap meet is only the second such event that I have ever attended and I must confess that I think I could easily get hooked on them. Although they are primarily put on to cater to the car enthusiast (this one was put on by the EJ & EH Holden Car Club), they do have a lot of collectables for sale as well. You seem to be more likely to get a bargain at these swap meets than at a designated "Antiques and Collectables" fair. The next swap meet I plan to attend will be the "Caboolture Swap Meet Show & Shine" on Saturday the 22nd of June at the Caboolture Show Grounds. This is just up the road from me so I should be able to easily make the 7.00am start. Just hope it isn't too cold. The low entry fee to most swap meets is also another added attraction. Most seem to only cost $3 to get in.

The pair of vases are labelled "AUSTRALIAN MULGA SOUTHERN SERIES". I hadn't encountered this brand before so I was happy to add this new brand to my collection.

The pair of "SOUTHERN SERIES" vases (just over 15cm high)
Photographed using flash.

Other side of the vases
Using flash again to bring out the rich reds of the mulga wood.

Underside of each vase showing the "AUSTRALIAN MULGA SOUTHERN SERIES" brand stickers

Same two vases using natural light only.
Notice the differences in the turning of each vase especially around the top rims.
No two pieces of mulga wood are ever the same.

Other side of the vases photographed in natural light.

Much browner in colour.

The next item of mulga wood was found last weekend at the Caloundra Antique & Collectables Show. When I first saw it I didn't even know what it was. I asked the dealer and he thought it may have been for holding rings on a ladies dressing table. It didn't look feminine enough to me for this purpose. I now believe it may be a desk tidy for something like pins or paperclips. Maybe someone can help me here to identify its actual purpose. This piece was obviously originally bought as a souvenir as it has "From Ulladulla" in gold lettering on it. Coincidentally, this piece is also labelled "AUSTRALIAN MULGA SOUTHERN SERIES". 

Small souvenir pin? dish with raised centre.
7 - 8cm in diameter

Souvenir  pin dish "From Ulladulla"

Underside of pin dish showing the "AUSTRALIAN MULGA SOUTHERN SERIES" brand sticker

When I concluded my last post on mulga wood I asked the question of "Will I buy any more mulga wood?". Well the answer has clearly proven to be yes but I am now definitely only looking for those special pieces in great condition.

More Australian Mulga Wood

A few more pieces of Australian Mulga Wood have been added to my collection recently. One from the last Collectorama of 2012 and two from the first Aladdins Fair for 2013. These three pieces are all desk accessories. This seems to be one of the most popular uses of mulga wood.

In my last post about mulga wood, I made mention of a South Australian company using the politically incorrect brand name of "ABO BRAND" back in the 1930s. This first ink stand is actually from this very company. I bought this one from Collectorama.

"ABO BRAND" inks stand. The finish is a little dull and could do with a good polish.

This ink stand has it's original liner in the inkwell. These are often missing.

Nice "MULGA WOOD ABO BRAND" transfer on the underside.

The next inkstand looks as though it has never been used. Probably given as a gift and put away in a cupboard many years ago. It has two inkwells and some pen rests. I found this one, along with a mulga wood blotter, on a stall at Alladins about a month ago. I wasn't planning to buy anymore mulga wood items but the beautiful condition of this inkstand and blotter proved too tempting.

Mulga wood double ink stand and blotter.

Mulga wood double ink stand by "THE MANNA DESERT TREE"

Each ink well should have a liner to hold the ink. Unfortunately one liner is missing from this ink stand.

"THE MANNA DESERT TREE" transfer brand mark on the underside of the double inkstand.

Mulga wood blotter by "RYANS Australian Mulga"

"RYANS Australian Mulga" brand transfer on the underside of the blotter

The Australian War Memorial has a pair of RYAN Australian Mulga wood bookends in their collection. They can be seen here.

Will I buy any more mulga wood? Probably yes, if I come across something different and in great condition. We'll just have to wait and see.

Australian Mulga Wood

Mulga wood has been used extensively for Australian souvenir and gift ware throughout the middle of the 20th century.  Its height of popularity probably began in the Interwar Years and continued through to the 1960s and 70s.  Mulga or true mulga is a shrub or small tree, native to arid outback areas of Australia.  Its scientific name is acacia aneura. The aboriginal people have long used mulga for digging sticks and woomeras due to its strength.  Following are just three examples of mulga wood ware.

The first two items are recent acquisitions from Collectorama at Nambour last weekend.  Both are desk accessories with perpetual calendars.  The first one also has two inkwells as well as pen rests.

Mulga wood desk set

Each ink well should have a bakelite liner however one is missing.  Don't know if they ever had lids.  Maybe someone knows if these originally came with lids and has a photo that shows this?  This set is in reasonably good condition for its age, just a few marks and one inkwell sitting a bit crooked.  Still looks pretty good though.  At least all the date cards are complete.  No specific souvenir markings on this piece (only the koala underneath).

Nice AUSTRALIA with koala transfer underneath

The smaller piece is actually a souvenir from Coffs Harbour.  "Greetings from Coffs Harbour" is engraved between the Kangaroo transfer and the perpetual calendar.

Mulga wood calendar

This piece is not in the best condition (part of the kangaroo transfer is missing) but might be a good one to have a go at restoring.  Unfortunately one date card is also missing.  Thankfully it is the 31 so at least 5 months will be complete.  It has a simple wire stand attached to the back for support.

"GENUINE AUSTRALIAN MULGA" on map of Australia transfer on back 

My last example of mulga wood is a pair of bookends.  These have great sentimental value to me as they were one of my Father's 21st birthday presents.  This would mean that they date from around 1948.

Dad's mulga wood bookends

These bookends are quite heavy as they are solid wood.  Just two simple but very effective shapes.  I have often used these bookends myself over the years.

No two bookends (or any pieces of mulga wood) are ever the same - always different grain

"THE DESERT MANNA TREE" on map of Australia with manna tree transfer  underneath each bookend

I have not been able to find out anything about the brand of these bookends.  Not even sure if it's "THE DESERT MANNA TREE" or "THE MANNA DESERT TREE" however I think the first sounds more likely.  Still a very interesting label.  There seems to be quite a number of different manufacturers of mulga wood items.  A South Australian company in the 1930s was even producing mulga wood items under the brand name "ABO BRAND".  Not politically correct these days.  It would make an interesting exercise to document and collect examples from each manufacturer.

Though not to everybody's taste, a collection of mulga wood can make an interesting display of Australiana.