Important South African & International Art, Decorative Arts & Jewellery
Live Auction, 16 March 2015
Cape & Colonial Silver, Furniture & Dec Arts, The Harvey Collection of Africana & SA & Int Art
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
A Transvaal kiaat rusbank, James Smith, circa 1900
the wavy top-rail above a row of reeded splats, outcurved solid panelled arm supports, riempie seat, on square-section chamfered legs joined by stretchers, on tapering feet, 217cm long
Notes
James Smith was born in Bradford, Yorkshire. Having moved to South Africa, he worked as a woodcutter and furniture make in the Tzaneen area where he met Sir Lionel and Lady Phillips, who had a farm at nearby Woodbush. Florence Phillips who was doing a great deal to promote arts and crafts projects in South Africa, introduced Smith to Herbert Baker, with the idea that he make furniture after designs by Baker. Baker later employed James Smith for the woodwork and carvings of the Union Buildings.