GEORGE NEWS - A limited edition of Volkwyn chairs crafted by Zimbabwean artist David Manando will be launched at Friemersheim near Great Brak River during the Fragrance Fest on Saturday 3 March.
Volkwyn chairs are on display at the Wood Industry Exhibition in the George Museum and at the Great Brak Museum (open 08:30 to 14:00 on Saturday), with special information regarding Friemersheim and the Volkwyn chair.
There is also a replica at Die Kraal in Friemersheim.
Fragrance Route
Saturday provides the perfect opportunity for families, friends and groups to explore the charming Fragrance Route, a tar / gravel meander of 40km measured from the N2 at Great Brak River.
Since its launch in 2015, this annual celebration on the Fragrance Route has grown in leaps and bounds - this year there are 10 venues to visit, all open until 16:00 or later (except for the museum).
The route offers vistas of fynbos-covered countryside and majestic mountains. It also offers game spotting, bird watching and photography and you can cycle or visit by motorbike.
The Fragrance Fest 2018 map can be obtained at www.proemb.co.za.
A new take on Volkwyn chairs.
Chairs
The Volkwyns, well-known craftsmen at the beginning of the 20th century, designed and made at least five different styles of the chair named after them.
Variations can probably be attributed to the fact that they were made by different members of the extended Volkwyn / Volkwijn family.
At Gonnakraal (today Friemersheim), the four brothers Hendrik, Isak, Charlie and Aser Volkwyn had a thriving family business. In George, the three brothers Jan, Alec and Isak Volkwijn (Volkwyn) each had their own business, situated in Meade Street, York Street, and on the corner of Meade and Fichat streets.
Certainly, the George-based brothers were very prosperous and widely known: Volkwyn chairs and other furniture created by them were ordered via catalogues and shipped all over the world.
Another well-known member of this talented family was Theodore Volkwyn, nicknamed "Tak", who worked at Polly Gerber's workshop in George for 36 years.
This year 30 Volkwyns (many from Cape Town) gathered at Friemersheim to celebrate their third family reunion, which will end during the Fragrance Festival.
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