Sometimes intriguing museum objects often raise more questions than they answer.
One such object in the CALHN Health Museum collection is a large decorative wall plaque. It depicts Pericles speaking to the people of Athens in 431 BC. Carved on the plaque is “Pericles Speaks”. On the back of the plaque is stamped:
Made in Greece – From the Popular Art – Handwork
Ancient Athens
The plaque shows one of the famous moments in classical Greek history. In 431 BC, during the Peloponnesian War, Pericles delivered what has become known as the Funeral Oration. Rather than simply honouring the dead, he spoke about the values of Athenian democracy, civic duty and sacrifice.
Interestingly, the plaque is not based on an ancient Greek artwork. Our research suggests it is a reproduction of the 1852 painting of Pericles Funeral Oration by German artist Philipp Foltz.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, reproductions of famous historical scenes became popular souvenirs, particularly for visitors to Greece.
Frances Mary Deere
The plaque entered the museum with a fascinating piece of provenance.
It is believed to have been brought back to Australia by Sister Frances Mary Deere, a nurse who trained at the Adelaide Hospital and graduated in 1912.
When war broke out, Frances enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service and left Australia in December 1914 aboard the HMA Kyarra with the 2nd Australian General Hospital.
Photograph courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.
Over the next four years she served in Egypt, England and France, caring for wounded soldiers often under difficult conditions. Her own war service was far from easy. She survived severe pneumonia that required her evacuation back to Australia, recovered, returned overseas to continue nursing. She later had further illness before finally retuning home in 1919.
The museum also holds several other souvenirs attributed to Frances, including souvenir spoons from England and France and decorative jug.
Still needing answers
One question remains unanswered.
Despite the history accompanying the plaque, Frances’ military service record does not place her in Greece. However, she served in Alexandra, Egypt, which at the time had one of the largest Greek communities outside of Greece. It is therefore possible that she acquired the plaque there, or perhaps during her travel through the eastern Mediterranean. At this stage, we simply don’t know.
Can you help
We are continuing to research this plaque and would love to hear from anyone who recognises the maker’s mark, has seen a similar example, or has information about Sister Frances Mary Deere and her wartime travels. If you can help solve the mystery, please get in touch with the CALHN Health Museum.
Written by Margot Way, CALHN Health Museum
