Posted 10 years ago
LASParamar…
(1 item)
I live in Suriname. A friend of mine got this furniture from the DeVries store in downtown Paramaribo, in the early-mid 60s. At that time, she was told it was 100 years old. They had brought this furniture in from Holland, and it was in the Governor's mansion (now the Presidential palace) when Gov. DeVries was serving. Because of the rattan portion, I'm guessing it might have originally come from the Dutch East Indies. The furniture is obviously not in excellent condition, because it was used as regular livingroom furniture. Since my friend (also we) are missionaries here, it has also been used when we have people in our homes for regular meetings, inc. Bible studies and youth meetings over the years.
I have two matching chairs and a couch. The material is intact but well-worn, original. I thought of having it re-covered, without harming the original material, but there is some material on the body of the chair and sofa so I didn't.
Anyway, I'm posting this in case someone might know anymore about my mystery furniture.
Thank you, LS
Hi, thanks for the comments. I only know what my friend was told. The cushions are on properly. The design is some kind of flower, looks like a poppy to me.
I think Phil means that the cushions are not right. The back cushions are too high. The other way would be to place the back cushions first and then place the bottom cushions. That way the wood would be seen better and the bottom cushions would meet the edge of the frame. In Australia we call this furniture Jarvi Lounge Suites. Is there an Australian family connection.
I agree with vetraio50. If the back cushions were down the seat cushions would reach the front behind your knees and the wooden gingerbread would show above the back cushion.
Thank you to all who wrote to me. I Googled "Jarvi Lounge Suites" and, indeed, that style looks like my furniture. (eg: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Jarvi-Lounge-Suite-Excellent-Condition-/201073679039?pt=AU_Antique_Furniture&hash=item2ed0ecdabf ) I also Googled "tub chair" and found that the style isn't really similar, but the designs on the wood are. (eg: http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/269678/victorian-mahogany-tub-shaped-bergere-armchair/ ) So I don't know what that means. The Victorian tub chair example would put in in the professed "100 year old" range but the style is more modern, as Mr. Morris said. Anyway, I've found out more in 24 hours from this post than anything I could find out before! No, I don't know of any Australian connection. My friend was told it came from Holland, but of course that doesn't mean it had to originate from there. Suriname is a very eclectic place so I'm happy if I have some eclectic furniture!
By the way, I tried to set the cushions the suggested way, however, that doesn't work a bit. If I move the seat cushion forward so the back cushion can go down, the seat cushion sticks way out and the back cushion is down too low--that is, not only reveals the wood but the rattan. I really don't think that is the "right" way in this case. Thanks for the suggestions, though!