A Cape yellowwood, stinkwood and pine extending table, 19th century

About this Item

A Cape yellowwood, stinkwood and pine extending table, 19th century

each D-end above a reeded triangular frieze, on square-section tapering legs, with later leaf, 70cm high, 126cm wide, 171cm fully extended

Notes Dr Johannes Smuts trained at Leyden University and in 1845 started practising in Paarl. He married Jacoba de Leeuw and in 1847 they purchased Zomerlust in the Main Road. They furnished the house with these matching tables

Their daughter Anna Sibella Louisa married JI de Villiers owner of the Paarl Wine and Brandy Company. He was a lawyer, established The Paarl Board, a farmer, mayor of Paarl and member of the Cape Parliament. He purchased Zomerlust for their family and, as was customary, the furniture and fittings were inherited by the daughters of the family.

In turn their daughter, Coosie, married Nicholas Gray from Plaisir de Merle Estate in Simondium, and the tables, by this stage with the added section, were used as an additional dining table for the next 30 years.

Once again the tables were inherited by their daughter and granddaughter.

Provenance Dr Johannes Smuts, owner of Zomerlust to his daughter Anna de Villiers, to her daughter Coosie Gray, Plaisir de Merle Estate, and thence by descent to the current owner. CapeStinkwoodTable