T. Kift & Son

T. Kift and Son sticker

History

<1914-1923>

Site

19 Sturt Street, Ballarat (opposite Star Office)

Works Produced

• Creswick Havilah Lodge

• Christ Church, Ballarat renovations

• Old Colonists' Hall interior, Lydiard Street North, Ballarat

• St Peter's, Ballarat

• St John's Ballarat

The People

Thomas Kift

G. Coulter

Charles Pennant worked on the Old Colonists' Hall, so it is assumed he worked for T. Kift and Sons.

See also

Thomas J. Kift

Decorative Painting Techniques

Old Colonists' Association

Notes

DEATH OF MR THOMAS KIFT.

At about one o’clock this morning, Mr Thomas Kift died at his residence, Lyons Street south, death following a seizure. Mr Kift was at his place of business in Sturt street on Saturday, and seemed to be in his usual health and spirits, and was moving about his home yesterday until towards evening, when he laid down. The seizure quickiy followed, and he gradually sank away. The late Mr Kift was a popular citizen and business man, and his passing will be regretted by a large circle of friends. He was born in Swansea, South Wales, in 1855, and was therefore 67 years of age. He reached Ballarat in child-hood with his parents and was educated at Lowther’s School in Errard street. He engaged in the painting and paperhanging business, and was for some years a member of the firm of Kift and Smith, and in later years, Kift and Sons. The firm has been en-trusted with important contracts, including the renovation of Christ Church, St. Peter’s and St. John's Churches, Old Colonists’ Hall and several Masonic Halls. The deceased filled the position of president and secretary of the Old Painters’ Union and in later years held the offices of secretary of the Contractors’ Association, and president and secretary of the Master Painters’ Association. He was well known in musical circles, having been for about 10 years a member of the Lydiard Street Methodist Church choir, and of the Ballarat Liedertafel, and was also a member of various competitive choirs. He leaves a widow and family, consisting of the Misses Alice, Lucy, and Ethel Kift, and Messrs Thomas, Chas. George (of Moonee Ponds), and William Kift.

Of the Old Colonists' Hall the Ballarat Star reported:

... Representations of flowers fill the corners, and the centre is occupied by paintings of the busts of notable persons. The cove is of graded shades of buff and grey, while the trusses and cornices are picked out in a dozen harmonious tints, and the enrichments are heavily gilded. The walls are a greenish buff suitably lined and nicely supported by a snuff ored dado with rail to match. Between the memorial, donors', and officials’ slabs exceedingly effective landscapes have been introduced. The reading room is noticeable or its exceptional artistic beauty. Its disempered ceiling is handsomely set off with landscapes and representations of flowers and fruits of the most exquisite description. Its bold green walls, relieved with deep buff frieze work, give effect to the finely stencilled terracotta dado. Of the billiard room too much could hardly be said. The ceilings of soft buff broken with green and enhanced by pink styling and elegant floral adornments in itself a real work of art, and well worthy of the admiration bestowed upon it. The walls are of pale French grey, with light buff friezing boldly stencilled. Perhaps the most magnificent of all is the large general meeting room, the chief feature of which is the imitation drapery work in the elaborately panelled ceiling. This piece of work is undoubtedly the finest of its kind ever executed in Ballarat, It is as realistic as it is attractive, yet it is wondrously neat and refined. The colors blend to a degree. Nothing is overdone, and there is nought wanting. The floral and relied ornamentations throughout this room are quite in keeping with the drapery work and richly gilded centres. ...

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