Germanic Furniture in Colonial South Australia
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Monthly Friends of Lutheran Archives public meeting.
Also available via YouTube LiveStream: https://www.youtube.com/@friendsoflutheranarchives9644/live
Speakers: John Foumakis
$5 donation at the door. No bookings required.
The earliest furniture produced amongst German settlers in SA was familiar, distinctly Germanic in style, and echoed the comforts and traditions of their original homeland. Many of these early forms were replicated by well known cabinet makers in Hahndorf, Lobethal, and throughout the Barossa.
Many German settlers were trained craftsmen and reproduced these familiar styles using native Australian timbers. Pure Biedermeier examples are now quite rare in SA, although makers such as Karl Launer of Light Pass and later Stockwell produced signature pieces that closely embraced this style in his early career.
This presentation looks at the chronological development of Germanic furniture in SA, identifying features that distinguish the earliest pieces from later Victorian and Edwardian examples, and tracing the gradual decline of the traditional Germanic style by the beginning of the twentieth century.
At a very young age John’s fascination with old objects became the catalyst for research into the social lives of our colonial settlers. His own experience as an immigrant drew him towards investigating German settlers and their lifestyle. His interest in antique collecting first developed at the Salvation Army Store in Whitmore Sq., and he opened his first antique shop in 1979.
A chance discovery of a very unusual style of furniture led him to investigate the subject, with his only clue the strong German accent of its seller. The initial suspicion that the pieces were imported was quickly dispelled when he realised they were made from Australian native timbers.
Also available via YouTube LiveStream: https://www.youtube.com/@friendsoflutheranarchives9644/live
Speakers: John Foumakis
$5 donation at the door. No bookings required.
The earliest furniture produced amongst German settlers in SA was familiar, distinctly Germanic in style, and echoed the comforts and traditions of their original homeland. Many of these early forms were replicated by well known cabinet makers in Hahndorf, Lobethal, and throughout the Barossa.
Many German settlers were trained craftsmen and reproduced these familiar styles using native Australian timbers. Pure Biedermeier examples are now quite rare in SA, although makers such as Karl Launer of Light Pass and later Stockwell produced signature pieces that closely embraced this style in his early career.
This presentation looks at the chronological development of Germanic furniture in SA, identifying features that distinguish the earliest pieces from later Victorian and Edwardian examples, and tracing the gradual decline of the traditional Germanic style by the beginning of the twentieth century.
At a very young age John’s fascination with old objects became the catalyst for research into the social lives of our colonial settlers. His own experience as an immigrant drew him towards investigating German settlers and their lifestyle. His interest in antique collecting first developed at the Salvation Army Store in Whitmore Sq., and he opened his first antique shop in 1979.
A chance discovery of a very unusual style of furniture led him to investigate the subject, with his only clue the strong German accent of its seller. The initial suspicion that the pieces were imported was quickly dispelled when he realised they were made from Australian native timbers.
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Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide, South Australia, 139 Archer St, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia, Adelaide
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