Robert Kay memorial plaque [B 73608] • Photograph
Robert Kay memorial plaque
A photograph of a relief of Robert Kay, who was Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Institute and Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia 1859-1904. The photograph has faded, and the label on the back reads: "By special appointment to His Excellency the Governor. From E.A. Hunt, gilder, picture framer, and mount cutter from Artistic Framing Works, 30 Gawler Place, Adelaide". The original memorial plaque was created by Harry Pelling Gill (1855-1916), director of the School of Design, South Australian Institute, and the likeness may have been created as a plaster medallion after a model wax bust was first made. The plaque features a portrait of Robert Kay, seen in three-quarter view, wearing a coat and bow tie. The decorative border features leaves in an Art Nouveau style. The inscription reads at the top: 'Loyal and True', and in a scroll underneath the portrait: 'Robert Kay. Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Institute and (subsequently) Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery of South Australia from 1st June 1859 until his death 24th April 1904.' The memorial plaque featured in an exhibition held at the Art Gallery of South Australia on 1 June 1909, which included Specimens of the Assay Offices such as dies for printing tokens, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the appointment of the late Robert Kay as secretary of the South Australian Institute. The memorial plaque was intended to hang in the library.
Robert Kay memorial plaque
A photograph of a relief of Robert Kay, who was Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Institute and Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia 1859-1904. The photograph has faded, and the label on the back reads: "By special appointment to His Excellency the Governor. From E.A. Hunt, gilder, picture framer, and mount cutter from Artistic Framing Works, 30 Gawler Place, Adelaide". The original memorial plaque was created by Harry Pelling Gill (1855-1916), director of the School of Design, South Australian Institute, and the likeness may have been created as a plaster medallion after a model wax bust was first made. The plaque features a portrait of Robert Kay, seen in three-quarter view, wearing a coat and bow tie. The decorative border features leaves in an Art Nouveau style. The inscription reads at the top: 'Loyal and True', and in a scroll underneath the portrait: 'Robert Kay. Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Institute and (subsequently) Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery of South Australia from 1st June 1859 until his death 24th April 1904.' The memorial plaque featured in an exhibition held at the Art Gallery of South Australia on 1 June 1909, which included Specimens of the Assay Offices such as dies for printing tokens, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the appointment of the late Robert Kay as secretary of the South Australian Institute. The memorial plaque was intended to hang in the library.