In 1901, the sculptor John Robertson Tranthim Fryer, produced this model of Kipling's Young Queen to commemorate Federation.
J.R. Tranthim-Fryer's Young Queen statue
The Leader April 27, 1901 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198083229
The Leader newspaper of April 27, 1901 had a report on the statue, under the headline An Australian Symbol -
Mr. J. Tranthim-Fryer, a young Australian sculptor, of Queen's-buildings, has completed a model representing Kipling's Young Queen, presenting symbolical features appropriate to the Australian Commonwealth. The model stands over 4 feet in height, and has been made in accordance with a suggestion by Mr. O. A. Junck, of East Melbourne, that a statue of the young Queen conferring "light" and "power" on the Australian people should be erected on the top of the Exhibition, or some other public building, such as Parliament House, to permanently commemorate the foundation of the new Australia. The figure in the model is represented as being mounted on the dome of the Exhibition and holding in her right hand a powerful electric light of about 5000 candle power, which it is claimed would be seen for many miles in all directions at night; and with her left hand she is upholding the Federal charter of Australia. The various States are represented by stars, the young Queen being crowned with a diadem of stars — one for each of the federated States (1).
J.R. Tranthim-Fryer was born in Tasmania in 1858 and studied at the Technical College in Sydney. He was appointed to the Art Department at Hobart Technical College in 1890. From 1895 he undertook more study in London at the Royal College of Art, Lambeth School of Art, and the Royal Academy. On his return to Australia he held positions at Sale Technical School, Horsham Men's College and Gordon Technical College in Geelong. In 1908, Tranthim-Fryer was appointed the first director of Swinburne Technical College, a position he held until his death in July 1928 (2).
Otto Junck, who was noted in one newspaper report as having suggested and designed the statue, was born in Germany. After the family migrated to Australia, they lived in Bendigo. Otto was employed in the Electrical Engineers branch of the Victorian Post Office. He died in 1949, aged 83 (3).
In July 1901, it was reported that Junck and Tranthim-Fryer intended to exhibit the statue at the Bendigo Jubilee Gold Exhibition which was held from November 13, 1901 to May 14 1902 (4). We have no information as to whether it was actually exhibited.
Where is Tranthim-Fryer's Young Queen statue?
Should you have any information about this item's history or location, please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.
Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.
Footnotes
(1) The Leader, April 27 1901, see here.
(2) Tranthim-Fryer - The Herald, May 31, 1928, here; Hobart Mercury, July 14, 1928 here; Design & Art Australia Online entry, here.
(3) Otto Junck - The Bendigo Independent, July 6 1901, see here; The Bendigonian, November 3, 1914, here.
(4) The Age, July 6, 1901, see here.
