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This room probably functioned as a combined bedroom and
gathering place in the early 18th century. But as the century
progressed rooms became more specialised, and by the late 18th
century it would have become a gathering place for visitors or for
doing business, or it could have been a
dining room as it is now.
Food would have been cooked in the kitchen, perhaps by Kito, the
slave cook, and his helpers (see tour of the kitchen [link]), and
carried through to the dining room on porcelain and earthenware
dishes from China, Japan or Britain. Blue and white Chinese export
porcelain (Nanking or Canton) was particularly well-liked at the
Cape, and is used in this room to lay the table. It continued to be
made in diminishing quantity during the 19th century.
Notice the Cape buffet from 1780–1800, with its zinc basin, fold-out
leaves and folding shelves. It depicts the early development of the
sideboard, and was used for washing up glasses and porcelain in the
dining room, as well as to contain bottles and a warming plate. The
display cabinet on stand dates from 1775–1800 and houses a selection
of late 18th and early 19th century silver tableware. Most of this
was reputedly bought in 1834 by the Van Breda family of Oranjezicht,
with money given as compensation for freeing their slaves.
The Cape at this time was known for its hospitality and the
availability of vast quantities of food. The types of food that were
eaten must be seen against the background of the various cultures
that settled at the Cape – a combination of French, Dutch, German,
Eastern and Malay flavours. Porcelain, silver and glassware were
much used as can be seen on the dining table.
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