Nock (Olive, 1893-1977). Painted fan, circa 1930s-1940s

Nock (Olive, 1893-1977). Painted fan, circa 1930s-1940s
*

Nock (Olive, 1893-1977). Painted fan, circa 1930s-1940s, the satin leaf painted with Australian blue wrens amongst blue flowers and foliage, signed Olive Nock to left-hand side, lined to verso with cream gauze (with a single small hole), the monture of wood from the bird's eye maple, one rib with previous neat repair visible through the gauze, 22.5 cm (8.75 ins), housed in original wooden fan box (lid defective), the underside with 'O. Nock' in neat ink manuscript (probably the artist's hand)




QTY: (1)



NOTE:


According to a biography of Olive Nock written by Margaret Betteridge in 1995, which can be read on the Design & Art Australia Online website, Nock 'undertook numerous commissions, including a bird's eye maple and satin fan hand-painted with blue wrens for Lady Gowrie'. From the description, it seems very likely that this fan is that made for Lady Gowrie.
Olive Nock was a celebrated Australian textile designer and painter, who produced works in various fields including ceramics, leather tooling, box making, and embroidery, as well as fans. In 1928 she won a competition for an Australian cloth design to be printed by Liberty's of London. She became a member of the Society of Arts and Crafts (NSW) in 1929, and continued being an active member for four decades, having various roles including that of Patron.
Zara Hore-Ruthven, Countess of Gowrie (1879-1965) was the wife of the 1st Earl of Gowrie, Governor of South Australia 1928-34, Governor of New South Wales 1935-36 and the longest serving Governor-General of Australia 1936-44. She was renowned for her work in promoting the welfare of children in Australia, and the Lady Gowrie Child Centres were named in her honour.