West-Indian Antique Furniture of the Lesser Antilles

This work is intended to give the reader an insight into the furniture of the Lesser Antilles, and its place in the changing politics and history of these Caribbean islands. The inspiration for this book came initially from the collection formed by the author's mother, Dorothy Sturm, in Trinidad, during the years between 1939 and 1981. As Philip Sturm became increasingly involved with the responsibilities of caring for the family collection as well as being a keen collector himself, he discovered there were no books on the subject. He was obliged to rely on his own general knowledge, local information, an art and history background and many hours spent in the libraries and archives of Trinidad, Barbados, St. Kitts, and the Virgin Islands. Even this produced very little information, the only references coming from advertisements of furniture on packets arriving in the harbours, or from house auction sales. Accordingly, he resolved to draw upon his own experience and conduct his own detailed and lengthy researches into this hitherto neglected subject. The author hoped, above all, that his book would stimulate an interest in young West Indians to preserve their furniture heritage and keep it within the islands or return it to the West Indies when found elsewhere. He also hoped it would lead to a wider appreciation of West Indian craftsmanship and the abilities of indigenous furniture makers.