In 1752 Governor Ryk Tulbagh granted Erf Number 6 on the corner of what would become Loop and Hout Streets, and later, the best jewellery store in Cape Town. Here an Early Cape townhouse of great elegance and grandeur was built. During the late 18th Century, Dutch artists decorated the house with neo-classical wall paintings which were discovered during restoration in 1993. In the reception area, then owners Mr and Mrs von Wielligh and their children were depicted as Roman Gods.

In the early 1800’s, a group of wine merchants bought the house from which they sold and exported wine from the Franschoek Valley, hence the name Huguenot House.  Today, the original wine cellar houses the Aurum Art Atelier as well as the Museum of Gems and Jewellery.

We trade from our own building, the magnificent HUGUENOT HOUSE ca 1752, a restored Early Cape townhouse with grandeur, and arguably one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets.