Many happy memories (& lots of tasty food !) have been enjoyed around the table over the years
A close-up of some of the carvings on the table - here you can see a rhino, an elephant and a giraffeI can honestly say that of all the furniture we own, this hand carved Malawian mahogany dining table is one of my absolute favourite pieces. (In fact, I think it IS my favourite piece – and it has a nice story behind it, too !)
Many years ago, in-between jobs here in Tanzania we were living in South Africa for a short stint, and it is there that we bought this gorgeous table. We had little money at the time, were trying to set up a home on a limited budget and just happened to stop at a petrol station in a country area on the outskirts of Johannesburg to fill up with fuel, when we noticed a small, rundown furniture shop which we decided to quickly take a look in.
I was drawn to this table right away. Actually, it called my name I think because it was not very visible at the time – stuck at the very back of the dark, overcrowded shop, it’s surface was covered with everything from books to ornaments to candles. I called my husband (then fiancée) over to have a look, and he loved it too !
The shop assistant told us that it was a hand carved Mahogany piece from the Southern African country of Malawi, and had been brought to South Africa with another table and some chairs on the back of a truck. The drivers of the truck needed cash to buy food in South Africa to take back to their families in Malawi, and had brought the furniture across the border in order to do this.
Now, there was only one small problem – we could not afford the table ! But I knew, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so what could we do ? I called my husband outside the shop and had a quick chat to him. After some fast calculations, we decided that if we did without some other furniture items which we needed, and cut back on our grocery and fuel bills for the next month or two, we could probably afford the table. So, we took the plunge - and went ahead and bought it !
It is one of the best decisions we’ve made ‘cause although we battled at first (having a gorgeous dining table yet no lounge suite, stove or decent TV !) we now have all those things and, of course, this lovely table which we would never be able to replace !
The table eventually joined us in Tanzania by train all the way from South Africa, through Zimbabwe and Zambia - and made it to us in one piece & without so much as a scratch. Since then, aside from being quite well traveled (!!) the table has also lived with us in 3 different locations around Tanzania and has hosted both friends and family from all around the world and many great meals (and bottles of wine !) have been enjoyed around it. From birthday’s to Christmases, to New Year celebrations and Easter, Sunday lunches, lazy breakfasts and company lunches I bet this table could tell a few stories !
A few people have suggested to me that I cover the top with glass – but I kind of like it the way it is – rough and natural looking (even though it’s a bit tricky to clean around all those carvings !)
The scenes carved onto the table all involve animals – giraffe, elephant, rhino and buck – most of them grazing on the grass or on tall trees, some around water. I really love this table and it’s a timeless piece which hopefully one day, will be passed on to our own children for them to enjoy as much as we have !
Many years ago, in-between jobs here in Tanzania we were living in South Africa for a short stint, and it is there that we bought this gorgeous table. We had little money at the time, were trying to set up a home on a limited budget and just happened to stop at a petrol station in a country area on the outskirts of Johannesburg to fill up with fuel, when we noticed a small, rundown furniture shop which we decided to quickly take a look in.
I was drawn to this table right away. Actually, it called my name I think because it was not very visible at the time – stuck at the very back of the dark, overcrowded shop, it’s surface was covered with everything from books to ornaments to candles. I called my husband (then fiancée) over to have a look, and he loved it too !
The shop assistant told us that it was a hand carved Mahogany piece from the Southern African country of Malawi, and had been brought to South Africa with another table and some chairs on the back of a truck. The drivers of the truck needed cash to buy food in South Africa to take back to their families in Malawi, and had brought the furniture across the border in order to do this.
Now, there was only one small problem – we could not afford the table ! But I knew, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so what could we do ? I called my husband outside the shop and had a quick chat to him. After some fast calculations, we decided that if we did without some other furniture items which we needed, and cut back on our grocery and fuel bills for the next month or two, we could probably afford the table. So, we took the plunge - and went ahead and bought it !
It is one of the best decisions we’ve made ‘cause although we battled at first (having a gorgeous dining table yet no lounge suite, stove or decent TV !) we now have all those things and, of course, this lovely table which we would never be able to replace !
The table eventually joined us in Tanzania by train all the way from South Africa, through Zimbabwe and Zambia - and made it to us in one piece & without so much as a scratch. Since then, aside from being quite well traveled (!!) the table has also lived with us in 3 different locations around Tanzania and has hosted both friends and family from all around the world and many great meals (and bottles of wine !) have been enjoyed around it. From birthday’s to Christmases, to New Year celebrations and Easter, Sunday lunches, lazy breakfasts and company lunches I bet this table could tell a few stories !
A few people have suggested to me that I cover the top with glass – but I kind of like it the way it is – rough and natural looking (even though it’s a bit tricky to clean around all those carvings !)
The scenes carved onto the table all involve animals – giraffe, elephant, rhino and buck – most of them grazing on the grass or on tall trees, some around water. I really love this table and it’s a timeless piece which hopefully one day, will be passed on to our own children for them to enjoy as much as we have !
