South African Design: Past & Present

Timed Online Auction, 13 June - 9 July 2025

Cape Interiors: Furniture, Metalware, Silver & Glass
About the Session

This sale traces the heritage of South African design across centuries of creative expression highlighting diverse design objects through two sessions. Uniting the sessions is a celebration of the versatility of materials - metal, wood, glass, clay, fibre - and how artists and artisans have transformed them over time into works of wonder, rich in both tradition and innovation.


Sold for

ZAR 23 450
Lot 12
  • A Cape camphorwood and stinkwood jonkmanskas, 19th century
  • A Cape camphorwood and stinkwood jonkmanskas, 19th century
  • A Cape camphorwood and stinkwood jonkmanskas, 19th century
  • A Cape camphorwood and stinkwood jonkmanskas, 19th century


Lot Estimate
ZAR 28 000 - 30 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 23 450
Location
Cape Town
Delivery
Additional delivery charges apply
Shipping
Condition Report
May include additional detailed images

About this Item

A Cape camphorwood and stinkwood jonkmanskas, 19th century
the rectangular moulded top above a pair of drawers and a pair of shaped panelled doors, enclosing two shelves, raised on ring-turned feet, 150cm high, 113cm wide, 50,5cm deep

Notes

The name "jongmanskas" reflects the intended use of these cupboards for storing the belongings of a young man, often used in the context of a young man's wardrobe. The distinctive feature of this type of furniture is the two drawers just below the top of the cupboard. This is a uniquely South African item of furniture.

This particular jonkmanskas is a 19th-century item with Regency influences seen in the turned baluster feet, earlier examples would have had spade or square-section feet.

It is extremely rare to find a cupboard in camphorwood (Cinnamomum camphora) which is known for its insect repellent properties.



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