Towards an understanding of the vernacular : nineteenth century Boer-made chairs in the collection of the National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria

Abstract

This article introduces ongoing research on nineteenth century Boer-made chairs housed in the collection of the National Cultural History Museum. Motivated by a lack of locally published research, the inquiry is informed by the physical objects, supported by data from the Museum register and archives. An overview is given on the main typologies, materials and construction methods. Some terminology is explored and the dilemma of naming is highlighted. With relatively few nineteenth century Boermade objects surviving the South African War (1899-1902), it is argued that these chairs require at least further documentation so as to assist more extensive research in future.AFRIKAANS: Hierdie artikel bring voortgaande navorsing oor volksmeubels na vore met spesifieke verwysing na negentiende-eeuse Boeremaak-stoele in die versameling van die Nasionale Kultuurhistoriese Museum.Die studie is aangevoor deur 'n gebrek aan gepubliseerde navorsing en steun daarom op die fisiese voorwerpe en hul data in die Museumregister en -argiewe. 'n Oorsig word gegee van die hooftipologiee, materiale en konstruksiemetodes; terminologie word ondersoek en naamweging heroorweeg. Omdat min negentiende-eeuse Boeremaak-voorwerpe nog bestaan na die Suid-Afrikaanse Oorlog (1899-1902), word aangevoer dat verdere en wyer navorsing sal baat by voorgesette dokumentering.