Sideboard, c. 1970. Mahogany with brass handles.
Lot 9

Nairobi workshop (1950s–1970s)

Sideboard, c. 1970

Mahogany with brass handles

80 × 200 × 48 cm

Estimate KES 300,000–450,000

Bidding

Current bid

KES 220,000

7 bids · Reserve not yet met

Time left

8m 57s

Closes 22:16

How bidding works

Bids · 7

  1. KES 220,000 Paddle 283 Online 22:05
  2. KES 200,000 Paddle 344 Online 22:03
  3. KES 190,000 Paddle 147 Online 22:03
  4. KES 180,000 Paddle 370 Online 22:01
  5. KES 170,000 Paddle 122 Online 21:41
  6. KES 160,000 Paddle 443 Online 21:37
  7. KES 150,000 Paddle 120 Online 21:30

About the work

A long, low sideboard in mahogany on a recessed plinth, with four sliding doors and slim brass handles set into the edges. Made for the offices of a coffee company in the Industrial Area.

Condition

Good. Refinished. Minor marks to the top.

Provenance

Offices in Nairobi's Industrial Area; private collection, Nairobi.

The artist

In the years either side of independence, a handful of joinery workshops in Nairobi's Industrial Area made modern furniture in teak, mahogany and cane for new houses, offices and hotels. Few pieces were marked, and makers are rarely known, but the best of them are made as carefully as anything of their time.

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