About Us

Piér & Jo-Marie Rabe

Piér and Jo-Marie have been dealing in Cape furniture for 18 years, supplying a select few specialist collectors in South Africa. They opened their first shop in 1988 and became members of SAADA www.saada.co.za in 1996. They are considered to be specialists in fine Cape Country and Town furniture, Cape copper, brass and kitchenalia, Boer War Memorabilia and 20th Century South African ceramics by the Linn Ware and Kalahari Studios.

Piér studied BA History at the University of Stellenbosch, and Jo-Marie recently received her MA degree cum laude after six years of research (under Dr Matilda Burden at the University of Stellenbosch) and the examination of thousands of pieces of furniture.

It is entitled “Genadendal-meubels as materiële manifestasie van die morawiese Piëtisme”. Many consider it a major contribution to our knowledge of our furniture heritage, and it has been published in a catalogue form: “Cape Furniture Styles 1652 -1900″ (see our publications page for more details about the more current publications as well).

The Rabe’s religiously attend auctions and scour the country for rare pieces to add to their collection at home, or to sell in their Stellenbosch shop.

Jo-Marie has her own monthly column in Die Burger’s Lifestyle section, and her latest publication in catalogue form is entitled “Cape Furniture and South African Ceramics” that is available at the shop. For more information see our Publications page.

Piér Rabe Antiques recently expanded and in 2008 Janri Bruwer (Jo-Marie’s sister) joined the existing team of Piér and Jo-Marie Rabe, Petra de Wit (Piér’s sister), Hennie Malan (Jo-Marie’s father), Wiseman and Gladys Nkangeni, as well as Eric Wani.

Petra handles enquiries and admin.

Mr Malan does traditional riempie work on chairs and benches. He also personally produces each exquisite home-made antique furniture wax polish according to an age old ancient and trusted recipe (see Antique Polish).

Therese will be updating the website as new stock arrives. Janri is the in-house photographer and you can mail photo’s of interest to her for evaluation at jomarie@pierrabe.co.za – it will be forwarded to the Rabe’s for valuation etc.

We welcome all enquiries regarding Cape furniture.