Strauss & co - 14 March 2016, Cape Town

485 Gregoire Johannes BOONZAIER SOUTH AFRICAN 1 909-2005 Moskee & Leeuwkop, Bo-Kaap signed and dated 1934; signed, dated and inscribed with the title on the reverse oil and charcoal on canvas 64,5 by 84,5cm R600 000–800 000 PROVENANCE Acquired from the artist by the current owner. The artist skilfully leads the viewer’s eye down Chiappini Street towards Lion’s Head as if inviting us to take a stroll down memory lane. On the right is the Mosque Shafee which stands on the corner of Helliger Lane. The mosque was built by Imam Hadjie after acquiring the land in 1859. The earliest members of this community arrived from the Malayan Archipelago in the late seventeenth century and the area was increasingly settled between 1790 and 1840. During this period the character of the Bo-Kaap emerged as its inhabitants utilised their building and artisanal skills to develop a vernacular architecture influenced by elements of Cape Dutch and Georgian styles. Despite many changes, its architecture and culture have remained relatively coherent over the years. 233