Description
each horizontal and curved top-rail over outcurved and tapered post supports, united between a double grooved mid-rail and fine spindle-turned back rails, sectional caned seat, over a blind apron, notched block-turned, ring-turned and tapered vase-shaped legs, on turned feet. The rear of each seat rail, stamped with the maker’s details: B.W. van Dyk, Barry St. Robertson (Condition report: Age wearing, oxidation, splits, old repairs, some of the frames are loose and four cane seats distressed) Provenance: These chairs were originally from the collection of the family of Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naudé (10 May 1915 – 7 September 2004) whom was a South African Afrikaner Calvinist Dominee, theologian and the leading Afrikaner anti-apartheid activist. They were originally housed in the Naudé family home in Graaff-Reinet, thence was passed to his sister Reinet Naudé and thence by descent to the present owner.
In addition, according to our research, the carpenter who created these chairs was Burgert W van Dyk was born in Robertson on the 24th of May 1867 and passed away on 24th of February 1938, his workshop was in Barry Street, Robertson in the Cape Colony, he focused on making chairs in the Regency style, another set of 6 x dining chairs and 2 x matching carvers is to be found in the Robertson Valley (The Towerwater set). Reference: https://towerwateraandebreede.blogspot.com/2016/08/bw-van-dyk-19th-century-furniture-maker.html
