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This room, known as the gaandery, functioned as the centre of the
house, and was the point from which the mistress of the house,
Margaretha Jacoba Smuts could organize the daily life of the
household. Sitting close to the window overlooking the courtyard, she
would be able to see the comings and goings of her slaves, mother her
children, check who entered at the front door, and perform any other
tasks that were required.
When the mistress of the house needed to go out, she would be taken in
the sedan chair, which would be carried on poles by two slaves: one in
the front and one at the back. The sedan chair in this room belonged
to Maria Margaretha Horak, and dates from the early 19th century.
Rooms at this time were lit mainly by candles placed in sconces fixed
to the walls, in silver candlesticks on candle stands, or in brass
chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The chandelier hanging from the
ceiling bears the name Martinus Lourens Smith and dates from c.1780.
It is one of a set made for the Lutheran Church in Strand Street,
built by Martin Melck (who was Marie Koopmans-De Wet's
great-grandfather).
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