Cape Dutch Hardware – Cape Town, South Africa

Close to Franchhoek lies the farm L’Ormarins, where I have been commissioned to manufacture escutcheon plates, handles, catches and bolts for the Cape Dutch manor house. Belonging to the Ruperts, a family who invested millions and lots of effort to preserve our heritage, all the buildings on the farm are well maintained and restored as expected.

I was handed a sample of an escutcheon plate and handle to reproduce and to my surprise I realised that it was the work of my mentor and father in law Tobie Openshaw. He was commissioned to do the same about twenty years ago. 

To me it was a great feeling to know that we as a family also contributed to the preservation our heritage albeit in a very small way.

Francois van Zyl