Crystal vase belonging to Elsie Curtin

Elsie Curtin's crystal vase belongs to the Trust’s collection, in which there are 28 sets and pieces of cut crystal including glasses, jugs, bowls, a table lamp and items from two dressing table sets.

There were collections of cut crystal in many ‘ordinary’ mid-20th century Australian homes. Between 1920 and 1954 advertisements for crystal vases, for example, peaked in the West Australian during the 1930s. Perhaps this reflected their desirability as wedding gifts: Western Australia’s marriage rate climbed late in that decade.

Elsie Curtin standing in a living room with a bookshelf, a lounge chair and a side table with a crystal vase with flowers.

Photo: JCPML, Curtin University