The Objects Gallery
On display is a selection of nearly 1000 objects from the Library’s realia collection acquired over the past century.
Exhibition Information
1 Shakespeare Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
+61 2 9273 1414
Tangible objects such as these offer a direct link to past lives and historic events, adding a sense of intimacy to our collections.
Many of these objects came with manuscript collections of writers, artists, surveyors, politicians, community organisations and businesses. Others came from Sir William Dixson (1870–1952), who gave his extensive collection to the Library, both during his lifetime and as a bequest in 1952.
The objects on display are mostly inorganic — made of metal, stone, glass or clay-based materials — and will not be damaged by exposure to light. The rest of the collection, which includes 8000 other objects, remains below ground in the Library’s multi-level storage areas or ‘stacks’.
Digital Gallery Guide
Discover the stories behind the objects. View extended captions and images on your own device when visiting the galleries.
Supported by
The Objects Gallery has been realised with the generous support of the Nelson Meers Foundation, Rob Thomas AO and Kim Williams AM.