I am beyond thrilled!!! I have just been afforded one of those rare opportunities to discover a valuable piece of South African history and the discovery literally walked into my shop. I hardly buy antiques and collectibles directly from the public, mostly due to the fact the majority of people way overestimate the value of their goods (thanks reality TV), but I will always take a look at what is on offer and negotiate a price if possible.
My clients brought in two boxes of various collectible goods, many of which I had sold before, so it was pretty easy to determine a price. Among the items were an old military belt/bandolier and a beautiful hand carved box. They are items I like to sell, but they did not look exceptional. Yesterday I eventually got around to listing those two items. I listed the belt at a starting price of R250 ($19). Before I list any item, I check all names or information on the item. The words "Diyatalawa Kamp Ceylon" were engraved on the front of the box, and I looked them up. Honestly, I had thought they were referring to tea. It was literally minutes before I realised I had an amazing find!
Diyatalawa Camp was a Boer Prisoner of War Camp during the Second Anglo-Boer, or Boer War in South Africa. The dates on the box corresponded with the dates of the war, as well as the dates the Prisoner of War camp was in operation. I also found a prisoner with a name that corresponded with the initials and surname on the box. I learnt conditions were good in the camp and the prisoners were well fed and even paid for their labour. I presume the prisoner must have spent his free time carving the box for his wife back at home. It is inscribed in Afrikaans:
Geschenk aan Mev AC Gouws van haar Echtgennoot HS Gouws 9 Sept 1900 - 25 Juli 1902
Translation: Given to Mrs AC Gouws by her partner/husband HS Gouws
The war ended on 31 May 1902 with the British emerging as the victors after a long and deadly struggle. If the prisoners of war swore allegiance to the British Empire, they were allowed to return to South Africa, either at their own expense, or had to wait a little while for their own consul to bring them home. The Diyatalawa Camp was used once the St Helena camp (another Prisoner of War Camp) was full, and only housed 5089 prisoners of war.
After I realised what I had, I called my museum curator friend and he was quite green with envy! A few years ago he had found a small photo frame made in the St Helena Prisoner Of War Camp, and sold it for R2700 ($203). I listed the box yesterday evening for R2500 ($189) and immediately received an offer for R2000 ($151) for it, as well as another query as to what my "Buy It Now" price would be. I would definitely like to keep this box on auction, and allow the market to determine the price. I usually only list my items for one week, but I have listed the box for three weeks.
Positively identifying the box to the Boer War period, enabled me to state with certainty the belt/bandolier was of turn of the century Boer origin, and I adjusted the listing price to R450. ($34) Soon after I received my first bid on it. My curator friend said he had a strange feeling about the belt, as it looked a little small. He wondered if it could not possibly also have been made as a souvenir for a son? Unfortunately this is only speculation. I provided the measurements in the listing, so I am sure a serious collector will know what they are buying.
Here are the direct links to the two auctions, in case you are interested in following their progress.
@onetree
Looks antique!
It is :)
This post received a 1.5% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @onetree! For more information, click here!
This is very exciting! @onetree! The wooden box had been lovingly made by hands with very basic tools. From the look of the box, it is of very good hard wood which was not very easy to be saw into straight line. I love wooden furniture and all kind of wooden antiques.
You must have been very thrilled! Many years ago, I was staying with a family who had old furniture. I later realised that I had been using antique tables, chairs and cupboard in my room. To top it off, the fake Turner painting in the sitting room turned out to be the original! My hostess' husband worked at the National Gallery. That was a window into the antique world for me.
I am very happy you have such finds!
Have a good day.
Wooooow, an original Turner! But using antiques is the best, we should be able to enjoy them. Thank you for your well considered comment, I appreciate it.
Hi! @onetree! My voting power sank to 60% for three days! That felt poor! couldn't do anything.
Yeah. I guess I was very lucky to be around very cultured and educated people which meant I got to learn a lot.
I am a real fan of wooden furniture, our old house had real teak wood for all the wall partition!
I love your knowledge of antiques and your posts about them; this brings back a lot of memories of my good old days and the lost world I could never go back to. Very, very nostalgic for me.
Please keep up the way you are!
Cheers.
Thank you @kaminchan, I really appreciate it.
I read this yesterday but forgot to leave a message and vote, stupid me had things on my mind. I am in love with this box, it is gorgeous, I love wooden boxs, I have a few here :)
The love story I imagine that accompanies it...well I juat LOVE it 💜
I just love the wood and how it looks, great find :)
Wow that is a great box. It just has a nice olden type of feel to the look of it!
Carved at a prison camp before 1902!
How exciting! My dad is an antiquarian book dealer, and recently found a collection of letters sent by a soldier to his sweetheart (later wife) during World War One. It's amazing piecing together a bit of history from the objects that are left behind.
What website did you find the prisoner's name on, out of interest?
It's the best feeling!
https://www.angloboerwar.com/other-information/89-prisoner-of-war-camps/1839-camp-for-boers-ceylon-sri-lanka
Thanks!
The quality of it is quite good, considering its age. Glad you caught that special interest angle in the nick of time.
Me too, it is about 10X difference in price!
Wow, that box is created with great craftsmanship. And what a story behind it!
I live for the stories! :D
You are right, what a find! Items like that are like hen's teeth. The indicators are that you will get more than your buy now price. I will follow the auction as well.
I hope so....my power downs are finished!
What a difference its made though. Thanks again for getting me onto this platform, I am slowly getting the hang of it.
hi there, these are very interesting