The focus on historical styles represents a new approach in local literature on antique furniture. Ou-Kaapse meubels – studies in style presents a breakdown of styles that occurred at the Cape until round about 1900, and the different levels of sophistication at which the furniture was aimed. Background to the origin of the styles assists readers in identifying the styles for themselves, and to identify particular examples of furniture according to the style of a period, while simultaneously getting to know Old Cape furniture in a broader context.