Axes to grind and other collectibles to find … at MoB
Everything from axes to dolls are on display as Museum of Brisbane digs into some of the most interesting collections you never knew existed.
Mikey Hilburger collects axes. So what? That’s normal, right? Then why are scenes from the movie, So I Married An Axe Murderer, flashing before my eyes when I browse an exhibit at the Museum of Brisbane featuring axes from his collection?
It’s all quite innocent. Still, his collection does stand out from all the others in the MoB’s latest exhibition – Precious.
This new major exhibition (which is free) showcases a stunning assemblage of more than 3000 items generously loaned from about 30 remarkable collections and collectors.
Honouring the dedication and expertise of enthusiasts and professional collections, Precious reveals intriguing stories of culture, place, family and tradition, travel and trade.
From international dolls to Queensland rugby league memorabilia (pictured, below), model ships to ornamental eggs, wind-up toys, woven textiles from First Nations communities to rare band posters tracing Brisbane’s music scenes, the vast number of objects and the breadth of collections on display will pique the curiosity and imagination of all visitors.
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Objects from some of the city’s most fascinating institutions such as the Embroiders’ Guild (Qld), Queensland Maritime Museum and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Qld), sit alongside personal collections featuring antique beaded purses, self-pouring teapots, intricate picture frames and an extraordinary selection of “Aboriginalia” from the personal collection of one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, Tony Albert.
These lovingly gathered curiosities are complemented with remarkable pieces from MoB’s prized collections, including fashion designs from the much-loved Easton Pearson Archive and other treasures of the city.
Then there are the axes. Hilburger collected coins, rocks and shells as a lad and at one time he also collected Weber kettle barbecues. It was his quest to chop barbecue fuel that led to his interest in axe collecting, inspired by the late Steve Lehmann, a renowned collector who had more than 2000 axes in his shed in Ipswich.
Hilburger learnt at the knee of the master, acquired some of his axes and began his own collection. He now has 120 axes and also collects signs, petrol tins, tools and other stuff that crowds his “Urban Lumberjack” stalls at Empire Revival, Paddington, and The Emporium, Kalbar.
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He’s just one of a number of private collectors represented in this show, which is carefully curated by Dr Sarah Engledow (pictured, above, left) who says Precious offers a tantalising peek into the hidden world of collectors of Brisbane.
For their combined knowledge and generosity, Dr Engledow says lenders to the exhibition should be regarded as treasures of the city themselves. This is an exhibition of objects, designed to astound visitors of all kinds through its sheer scale and variety.
“But it’s really an exhibition about people and the stories told through the objects they seek out and cherish,” Dr Engledow says. “Precious marks the first time these collections have been brought together and it has been a fascinating process of discovery to curate this show.”
Museum of Brisbane CEO and director Zoe Graham says Precious celebrates the deeply personal nature of collecting and reminds us of the fundamental interest we have in seeking out and caring for objects.
“This exhibition invites us to reflect on the things we hold dear, the memories we preserve through objects and the excitement of discovering something new,” says Graham. “It’s a testament to how objects, while often seemingly ordinary, can hold extraordinary meaning in the lives of those who collect them.
“Each object on display tells a unique story, from the cherished finds in local homes to the rare treasures that speak to a collector’s dedication and passion. We are proud to bring these treasures into the spotlight for locals and visitors alike to explore in this astounding exhibition.”
There is so much to pore over in this show, so allow yourself a couple of hours to take it all in.
Precious will continue at Museum of Brisbane, City Hall, until autumn 2026.