A family heirloom...

When my mother -in-law died she left my son a table. It was made by her great uncle G.K Forbes, who lived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He came from a large family, originally from Scotland, and he took up furniture making, and particularly marquetry, as a hobby.He made some beautiful pieces, among them this table. According to my mother-in-law's notes he also made a wooden mosaic plaque of the Forbes coat of arms that hangs ( or did hang) in Forbes House, Aberdeen University.before I cleaned


Underneath the table, tucked away carefully,we discovered a newspaper cutting from South Africa with a piece on Great Uncle G and photographs of more of his work. I have spent time this afternoon cleaning up the table so we, and others in the family, can appreciate it in years to come.

after I cleaned



It is strange to think that this little piece of furniture was actually made by this man all the way over in South Africa, and then decorated so beautifully. Apparently he never made any sketches or plans, just carried the idea in his head and then created the idea with wood from all over the world. And now it is with us, cleaned up and eady to be appreciated.