The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
88/394-1 Button and clip (1 of 5), brass, 'Aboriginal Native Police', made in Britain, United Kingdom, Europe, used in Australia, Oceania, 1842-1856. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 2, 88/394-1 Button and clip (1 of 5), brass, 'Aboriginal Native Police', made in Britain, United Kingdom, Europe, used in Australia, Oceania, 1842-1856. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 2, 88/394-1 Button and clip (1 of 5), brass, 'Aboriginal Native Police', made in Britain, United Kingdom, Europe, used in Australia, Oceania, 1842-1856. Click to enlarge

'Aborigines/VR' police uniform button

made
In the nineteenth century Aboriginal men served as troopers in various 'native police' forces. These forces, which consisted of uniformed, armed and mounted Aboriginal troopers under the command of white officers, were created to keep the peace between Aborigines and white settlers in the frontier districts. In reality, they helped to quell the resistance of the traditional owners and open the land to European settlement.

Aborigines were chosen as troopers because of their superior knowledge …

This object is part of

88/394 Collection of buttons (5) and helmet badges (2) for Aboriginal Police and British Army, metal / brass, various maker, various locations, c. 1840-1874
Collection of buttons and badges
c. 1840-1874

Summary

Object No.

88/394-1

Object Statement

Button and clip (1 of 5), brass, 'Aboriginal Native Police', made in Britain, United Kingdom, Europe, used in Australia, Oceania, 1842-1856

Physical Description

Button and clip (1 of 5), brass, 'Aboriginal Native Police', made in Britain, United Kingdom, Europe, used in Australia, Oceania, 1842-1856
Button with concave back, consisting of a garter band with the inscription "ABORIGINES/ VR" within, surmounted by a crown. The reverse of the button, has a loop for attachment and is inscribed "NEW HOLLAND" Ex Sir John Ferguson & L. Barton collections.

Marks

Insignia of unit on obverse, stamped, "ABORIGINES/ V.R." within garter and surmounted by Queen Victoria crown.Location of regiment on reverse, stamped, in concentric circle around edge of button, "NEW HOLLAND".

Short URL

https://ma.as/85030

Dimensions

Depth

9 mm

Production

made

Notes

Unknown

History

Used

  • c. 1840

Notes

The button was once in the collection of Sir John Ferguson, a judge and President of the Royal Australian Historical Society. Purchased by the museum from Mr Len Barton in 1988.

Cite this Object

Harvard

'Aborigines/VR' police uniform button 2022, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 3 February 2023, <https://ma.as/85030>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/85030 |title='Aborigines/VR' police uniform button |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=3 February 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

We want to hear from you

I know more about this object   I have a question about this object   
Creative Commons Licence

Copyright for the above image is held by MAAS and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please contact MAAS Rights and Permissions for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives licence

  Submit an image license enquiry.