Object Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Waterloo Region Museum |
Object ID |
2013.041.014.004 |
Object Name |
Trim, Furniture |
Description |
Oval, pressed wood fibre composite trim piece for furniture. The oval narrows slightly toward the end. There is an embossed border and a raised centre. Embossed on the edges of the centre are two grape leaves with bunches of grapes hanging from them. The wood fibre has been painted/stained yellow, green, and several shades of purple. A small hole has been drilled in either end. |
Date |
1920 |
Date |
1940 |
Dimensions |
W-5.6 L-14 cm |
History |
Trim piece has been attributed to John Walter and Sons Limited. John Walter (1865-1922) was born in Germany but immigrated to the United States around 1891. He was a chemist who manufactured a wood fibre composite material that could be moulded. The material was known as "Durwood". He and his wife, Caroline Drier (1861-?), came to Berlin, ON around 1912 and founded a wood fibre composite material company called John Walter and Sons Limited. The factory was originally located on Gaukel Street and then at 913-925 King Street East. John's two sons - John Junior (1892-1978) and Edward (1894-?) - were involved in the company and continued to operate it after John's passing. Edward left the company at some point and John Junior became the sole owner. The company was purchased by Syroco Canada Limited in 1980 and the factory was moved to Manitou Drive. |
Search Terms |
John Walter and Sons Limited |