Lot 001: 1860's Colonial Miner's Jarrah Daybed / Chaise Longue with Upholstered Cushions

Description

Formal Provenance Summary Item: Colonial Australian Miner’s Settee Material: Australian Red Cedar Date of Manufacture: Circa 1860s Origin: Western Australia (Swan River Colony) Historical Lineage & Family Provenance: -This settee traces its ownership through the maternal and paternal lines of the Ranford family, prominent pioneers of the Western Australian Swan River Colony. -The maternal lineage begins with Abraham and Susannah Summerland, who arrived in the colony in May 1830. Upon arrival, the family, which included five children and an infant, survived a shipwreck in Gage Roads. -Despite this tragic start, Abraham Summerland secured land in 1831 at Fremantle Lot 308. Fremantle Town Lot 308 corresponds to what are now street numbers 18, 20, 22, and 24 Queen Victoria Street in Fremantle (all heritage listed). -This property was located on what is now Queen Victoria Street (often referred to locally as Queen's St), which served as the primary entry point into Fremantle. -The paternal line was established when Benjamin Bristow Ranford arrived in the colony in 1851 and married the Summerlands' daughter, Sarah Ann, in 1853. -The settee, crafted during the 1860s from prized red cedar, aligns with this foundational period of the WA Ranford dynasty. -By the mid-20th century, the piece was housed at the family residence on Manning Street in Mosman Park, near the local bowling club. -During World War II, the settee remained at the Manning Street home in the care of Jessie Ranford, while her husband, Stanley Ranford, served in the Australian Army managing critical military logistics in Broome, Western Australia. -Finally, the settee moved with Jess Ranford to Mosman Park after the death of her husband. -The piece has since been passed down to their grandchildren, maintaining a direct, unbroken line of family heritage spanning over 160 years. Dimensions (approx.): -955mm high -2112mm long -640mm deep An attractive timber daybed or chaise longue. The frame is constructed from jarrah, featuring elegantly turned spindle arms and back supports. The backrest has a gracefully curved top rail. It comes with three upholstered cushions in a textured, oatmeal-coloured fabric, consistent with a herringbone or tweed pattern, comprising a seat cushion, a small lumbar cushion, and a bolster cushion for one arm. The design suggests it would have been a piece for a drawing-room or boudoir, offering comfortable seating or reclining space. These are hard to come by.

Condition Report

The timber frame shows signs of age and wear consistent with an antique item, including minor scratches, scuffs, and some loss of finish, particularly on the edges and feet. Major split to back as photographed. There are some nicks and indentations visible in various places on the wood. The upholstery on the cushions appears worn in areas, with some flattening of the padding and potential fading, though no major rips or tears are clearly visible. The fabric also has some minor discolouration and marks.

Specifications