Tracing thread of creativity

Highlights include a Cape stinkwood, beefwood and ebony armoire from the late 18th century.

- Citizen reporter

Strauss & Co is presenting South African Design: Past & Present, a sale tracing the heritage of South African design across centuries of creative expression.

The timed online auction, closing on Wednesday, highlights diverse design objects through two sessions - Cape interiors: furniture, metalware, silver and glass as well as interior elements: wood, metal, fibre, ceramic and glass art.

The earliest work dates from the 17th century and is a special large Japanese Arita VOC dish (estimated between R60 000 and R80 000). VOC is the Dutch phrase "Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie" which translates to Dutch East India Company.

The VOC monogram surrounded by two ho-ho birds, pomegranates and camellias exemplifies the style of dishes traded by the VOC from their small trading post on the artificial island of Deshima in Nagasaki bay.

Japanese artisans in Arita produced these porcelain dishes with Dutch VOC monograms from 1668-1720, commissioned through the Dutch trading post and serving as early branding for high-ranking Dutch East India Company officials, highlighting early globalisation through the fusion of Japanese craftsmanship with European trade demands.

Tracing a long history of furniture craft, the sale presents 18th and 19th century Cape furniture, including tables, cabinets, classical chairs and includes measures, tableware settings and glassware.