Important South African & International Art, Furniture, Decorative Arts & Jewellery
Live Auction, 17 March 2014
Cape, Colonial, Oriental & Continental Silver, Furniture & Decorative Arts
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
A Transvaal kiaat rusbank, by James Smith, circa 1900
with wave-shaped top rail above a row of reeded splats, outcurved solid panelled arm supports with punchwork decoration, riempie seat, on square-section chamfered and notched legs joined by reeded stretchers, on tapering feet, 216,5cm long
Notes
James Smith was born in Bradford, Yorkshire. Having moved to South Africa, he worked as a woodcutter and furniture maker in the Tzaneen area where he me 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 Sir 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.
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