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While beds during the early part of the 18th century were often
downstairs to show off their valuable drapes, sleeping became a more
private affair during the late 18th century. Bedrooms moved upstairs
and these rooms were refurbished with bedroom furniture. Four-poster
beds remained common at this time.
The two linen armoires in the
main bedroom (on the left) are from
the Koopmans-De Wet collection. One of them boasts Cape silver
mounts made by DH Schmidt. Silver furniture mounts were popular at
the Cape, where the art of the silversmith was intensively
practised. It is noteworthy that the first owner of this property
(in 1699) was Reijnier Smedinga, a silver assayer from Friesland.
Only by the early 19th century did attention to personal hygiene
warrant the presence of washing facilities such as bidets and
basins in a bedroom. There is an example of an 18th century bidet in the
second bedroom (on the right).
Of note in this room too is the cheval mirror in the French Empire
style. It was reputedly part of the cargo intended for Napoleon
Bonaparte's friend, the Countess de Bertrand, who chose to stay with
him when he was banished to the island of St. Helena. Being of
French origin, the islanders prevented the cargo from being
off-loaded and sent it on to the Cape. The cargo was put up for
auction on the quay and the mirror was bought by Mrs Koopmans-De
Wet's maternal grandfather, JA Horak. It remained in the family from
then on.
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