A Transvaal teak armchair, circa 1900
Part II - Silver and Furniture
About this Item
A Transvaal teak armchair, circa 1900
by James Smith, the yoke-shaped top-rail above a pierced splat, the arms carved with wave decoration and scroll terminals, riempie seat, on tapering square-section legs joined by reeded three-quarter stretchers
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 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 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.
Literature
Deon Viljoen and Piér Rabe, Cape Furniture 1680-1900, Cape Town, 2002, No 17, where an identical pair are illustrated
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