Stunning Australiana Eucalyptus Panel by John K. Blogg

John Kendrick Blogg stunning Australiana panel depicting a naturalistic eucalyptus branch, superbly carved in high relief, signed and dated 'John K. Blogg, 1924'. Museum quality. A Tour de Force of Australian craftsmanship. One of the finest examples in private hands. 48 x 121 cm. Provenance: Australiana Auction, Leonard Joel, 17th October, 1988, lot 100. John Kendrick Blogg, now primarily known as a talented wood carver, was also a poet, hymn writer and industrial chemist and perfume manufacturer. He was born in Toronto, Canada in 1851 and studied chemistry at Toronto University before becoming a junior partner in his uncle's firm of dispensing chemists. He left Canada and arrived in Melbourne in 1877 and in 1884 established a business as manufacturing chemists based in Melbourne. As a wood carver, he carved a wooden casket for King Albert of Belgium in 1915. A sculptured panel he had carved was presented to the Prince of Wales when he visited Melbourne in 1920. According to family tradition, Blogg had taken up woodcarving as a hobby following the death of his first wife Annie in 1893. His immersion in the craft has also been attributed to an increasing deafness, although it is known that he had always decorated cabinet work and made items of furniture. The works were carved from solid pieces of wood using only hand tools, without joins or superimposition of timbers. In later years Blogg moved away from the decorated panels featured in his early work, to representations of native gums and wattles which were notable for their lightness of effect. Some of his finest work can be seen at the St Stephen's Presbyterian church in Surrey Hills Melbourne, and the Surrey Hills War Memorial in Surrey Gardens. Both well worth a visit.