Staghorn ferns ornament the narrow porch of the Lands and Works Office, Brisbane, Queensland, 1904, photographer unidentified, via State Library of Queensland.
(Click on the image for a better view.)
I believe the ferns are Platycerium superbum, which are native to Australia.
“Decorated corner of a veranda,” Queensland, Australia, ca. 1895, photographer unknown, via State Library of Queensland.
The shell of the giant clam (Tridacna gigas) pictured above was probably taken from the waters around the Great Barrier Reef. Today, the mollusk is a “vulnerable” species due to overharvesting.
More well-furnished porches in Queensland, Australia. . .
“Verandah at The Hollow, near Mackay, Queensland, about 1875,” photographer unidentified (all photos here), via State Library of Queensland Commons on flickr (all photos here).
I love the office setup on this very deep porch with an adjoining fernery or bush-house. There is also a sewing machine on the table between the two women.
These photos are not very clear, but you can click any thumbnail in the gallery below to scroll through larger versions. There are four additional pictures there too.
“Unidentified family on the verandah of a Cairns residence, ca. 1895.”
What a beautiful plant collection.
“Furniture on the verandah of a Queenslander home, ca. 1925,” photographer unidentified.
The white chairs on the left with the extended armrests are “squatter’s chairs,” typical to Queensland porches. There are two more examples here.
Additional links:
Gracemere Homestead 1940 photo, Rockhampton, Gracemere Homestead in 2001, GracemereHomestead history
“Group of women having a tea party in Queensland, Australia,” ca. 1887, photographer unknown, via State Library of Queensland.
Beautiful Platycerium or staghorn ferns on the wall and columns. These could be Platycerium superbum, which are native to Australia. The one on the left seems to be supporting another plant — maybe a coleus.
How quiet it is, how silent,
like an afternoon in Pompeii.— Louise Glück, from “A Summer Garden“
A little Monday morning pink and white…
“Flowers in a greenhouse,” between 1900 and 1930, an autochrome by James W. Chapman-Taylor, via Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)
“Begonia House, Domain Gardens, Auckland,” 1915, an autochrome by Robert Walrond, via Te Papa Tongarewa.
The irresistible and benevolent light
brushes through the angel-wing begonias. . .The blooms are articulate deluge. . .
Elizabeth Woody, from “Illumination“
enclos*ure 