Description:

"ADVANCE AUSTRALIA" cotton embroidery on linen, circa 1908; 41.5 x 45cms.This embroidery was more than likely inspired by the first official Commonwealth Coat of Arms, granted by King Edward VII in 1908. The design comprises a white and blue shield displaying six small escutcheons and a cross of St. George featuring five six-pointed white stars. Above the shield, supported by a red kangaroo and an emu, is a seven-pointed gold “Star of Federation” (also known as the “Commonwealth Star”). Six of the Star’s points represent the six original States of Australia, while the seventh point represents the Commonwealth Territories. The motto “Advance Australia,” inscribed on the scroll at the base of the shield, was used for many years on unofficial coats of arms, before Federation in 1901. It was included in the 1908 Coat of Arms, and was popularly accepted in association with the 19th century song "Advance Australia Fair".