MELBOURNE: Government House 1876.

This is a real surprise! It would appear that this cycle of acid etched windows by Ferguson & Urie were done in the same year as the ones for the Chirnside’s mansion at Werribee park and also the acid etched windows in the Billiard room and back rooms of William Clarke’s mansion “Rupertswood.”

“…the eye is attracted by the exquisitely finished specimens of frosted glass, from the premises of Messrs Ferguson and Urie, which forms the main conduit of light to the hall and corridors. From out of a vase the leaves of the Australian tree fern gracefully curvilinean upspring, surrounded by bannerettes and symbols of art and industry, and the most minute examination affects the eye, not only with a sustained, but a constantly growing pleasure. Typical aptly conceived and most meritoriously executed, this window will be an enduring testimony of local artistic skill…”