Senate Chamber Desk #2003-1290Senate Chamber, North Wing, Main Floor
Blackwood chamber desk with two recessed ink bottle holders and two pen trays; inclined writing surface inset with tooled red leather; moulded edge to the curved top above a recessed apron with two drawers with wooden drawer pulls and brass locks; two chamber bins below, suspended on wooden rails; triple panelled front; on an angled platform base with inclined foot rest.
History
This Senate Chamber Desk was used in the Senate Chamber between 1927 and 1988, and is still located in the Senate. This desk was designed in 1926 by the Architects Department of the Federal Capital Commission, led by principal architect John Smith Murdoch, specifically for Provisional Parliament House. Murdoch’s design for this desk and the other Senate Chamber furniture was inspired by the Westminster system of Parliament. The design of the Chambers in Provisional Parliament House had a significant impact on the design of the furniture which was to be housed in it. Murdoch had originally designed the seating arrangement to mirror the galley seating of the House of Commons in England, but this was rejected by the Standing Committee on Public Works who advocated the horseshoe or semicircular pattern used in a number of European parliaments. At the same time, they rejected the suggestion of the Speaker that a rostrum be provided from which speeches would be given, maintaining the tradition of speeches being delivered at the central table. This meant that the furniture had to fit around a semicircle, presenting a difficult design and manufacturing challenge.
While most of the ceremonial furniture in both Chambers was built by Beard Watson & Co Ltd, the desks and bench seats were supplied by the Myer Emporium Ltd in Melbourne. Made out of Australian blackwood and leather supplied by Howe and Co Ltd, Myer subcontracted Messrs Johnstone and Morrison of Burnley, Victoria to manufacture these items. Sample items of the desks and bench seats were made and delivered so that Members could inspect and comment on their design. Based on their recommendations, alterations were made to the final design of the chamber desk, and included the location of the inkwells, ventilation for the circulation of heated and cooled air, and the installation of a receptacle for waste paper. Later added details include attendant call buttons, volume switches and speakers, earphone jacks, and holes for microphones. The original configuration of the Senate was comprised solely of two-seater desks such as this one. Unlike the House of Representatives Chamber where the front row of bench seating is without desks, the Senate Chamber includes a front row of chamber desks.
Details
Width | 1340mm |
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Height | 810mm |
Depth | 500mm |
Medium | Blackwood; leather; timber; brass |
Creator’s name | John Smith Murdoch |
Date created | Circa 1927 |