DECOR

DECOR FOR HOMES, GARDENS, PATIOS, TERRACES & OFFICES

A range of really unusual old and antique artefacts gives you the chance to be creative.

ANTIQUE WOODEN PRINTING BLOCKS FROM NORTH WEST INDIA. The combination of the hardest wood, the sharpest fine tools and the skill of the carpenter all play a part in the creation of one of India`s oldest weaving tools -- the printing block. Each can be used for decades to create the beautiful curvilinear designs in many colours which make up fabrics for all uses in Indian society. Use them as very efficient stylish paper weights, or simple decorative items with an evocative past. References (Left to Right) 3454. 3452 and 3453. Each euros 18.

CHINESE ABACUS. Reference 3579. The city of Guangzhou in southern China used to be called Canton and dates from around 400BC. It is now one of the largest seaports in China. I watched the hotel receptionist do all her calculations on her abacus. We had a competition and wrote about 10 twenty digit equations involving the four possibilities of adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying to see which was the fastest solver -- her abacus or my calculater. We played for three mornings. She won everytime. Before I left I bought this model and a 50 page english language instruction book on "Bead Arithmatic". Give it a try - if it does not work you still have a fascinating decoration. Euros 55 (book included).

I FOUND THIS ELEGANT CARVING ON THE ZAMBIAN SIDE OF THE VICTORIA FALLS back in 1968. It is very heavy and made with a rich dark hardwood which is smuggled in from Zaire. Livingstone, because of its proximity to this unique area where Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia all meet, is a logical centre for goods being dispersed without paperwork widely and quickly. Reference 3617. Size 40 cms. or 16 inches high. Euros 25.

Side view.

IN 1967 THE OLD BUILDING IN ELOFF STREET AT THE CORNER OF JEPPE WAS DEMOLISHED. It was an old dingy building with flights of stone stairs and a cranky metal cage lift. However on each floor, attached to the wall was a fire extinguisher, one of which I saved from the demolishers. It has served as a unique lamp ever since and now needs a good home. It is 64 cms. high (without the shade) The copper and brass base polishes well and makes for a fascinating piece of Johannesburg history. Euros 95. RESERVED.

CLOSE UP OF AGENTS` NAMES.

VERY OLD HAND MADE WOODEN ANDALUCIAN DOOR which still has its original closing sliding bolt handle. The design is largely made up of wooden squares fitted into a wooden frame. It is traditional, and still copied, in the Ronda region of the Sierras above the coast in my adopted Andalucian home town. Add two wooden trestles (euros 12 each locally) and make an innovative table for a covered patio, or inside as a table or top for displaying treasures. Size is 173 x 73 cms., or 78 x 29 inches. Euros 70. RESERVED:

ORIGINAL HAND FORGED BOLT HANDLE AND FIXTURES.

THIS VERY OLD MEALIE STOMP NEVER TRAVELLED FAR BECAUSE I FOUND IT IN PORT ELIZABETH in the early 1970s. It is very solid, hand carved from one huge branch, or maybe even the trunk, of a yellow wood tree from the Knysna area. It has always found a display corner in my kitchen but now needs a new appreciative home. Reference 3649. Height 87 cms. and diameter 33 cms. Euros 90.

NOT MANY SODA WATER DISPENSING BOTTLES SURVIVE AFTER USE which is a pity because they can be so interesting and decorative, especially a matching pair like these. The colour is rich and deep, and yet light enough for the owner to read the words enclosed in the glass. CASTLE proclaims it is the maker with Dan. J. Sim, at the Mineral Water and Ice works in Johannesburg. They are also heavy and therefore stable to stand up. Use the pair together in the bathroom for oils, or for flowers or a display of dried grasses and wildflowers in the kitchen. Reference 3653. Size 26 cms. or 10 inches high. Euros 56 the pair.

COLLECTION OF THREE TRIBAL CHILDRENS`HEAD COVERS. Rear - "Bonnet d`enfant" woven in soft white Berber wool and which has a head cover and extra warm flaps for neck and shoulders. Origin - Berbers of Middle Atlas, Morocco. Bottom Left - Embroidered cotton cap from the steppes of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. Bottom right - Green cotton hat decorated with narrow colourful bands - Berber work from the Fes region of Morocco. References 3531, 2802 and 3378. Euros 45 the set..

COLLECTION OF 8 WINE CARAFES FROM 7 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES - Italy, California, Portugal, France, South Africa, the UK and Sweden. Fascinating addition to your bar or kitchen and a great present. Reference 3671. Euros 90 the complete collection.

HAND CARVED; VERY WEATHERED; 60 YEAR OLD HEAD made of teak wood. Origin, Bali in Indonesia where he watched from a high outside terrace wall and frightened off evil spirits. He is ready to go back to work. Reference 3669. Size 22cms., or 9 inches high. Euros 18.

SUMPTUOUS COLLECTION OF 5 SILK CUSHIONS FROM UZBEKISTAN. New and unused with zip fastening panel as the reverse to allow for a cushion. Exotic. Reference 3290 to 3294. Sizes, large one is 65 cms. square, the 4 are 40 cms, square approximately. Euros 58 the set of 5.

CLOSE UP.

THIS IS LIQUIDITY WITH DIGNITY. An antique glass jar with original glass stopper which was used in a Victorian era pharmacy. Be different. Use it to dribble olive oil on your sunny breakfast toast as we mediterraneans do. Reference 3668. Size 22 cms., or 9 inches high. Euros 15.