The legend of Kaspar began with an unfortunate event in 1898. A guest at the Savoy, Woolf Joel, hosted a dinner for what turned out to be thirteen people.
He laughed off the old superstition that a party of 13 was bad luck, that the first to rise would be the first to die, but upon his return to Johannesburg, he was shot dead.
After the tragedy, the hotel, concerned about the superstition, decided to take action. Initially, a staff member would join any group of 13 guests, but this solution was often awkward.
Around 1925, the hotel found a permanent solution. They commissioned architect Basil Lonides to sculpt a three-foot-tall black cat out of polished London Plane wood. The statue was lacquered black and named Kaspar.
Now, whenever a dinner party has 13 guests, Kaspar is brought to the table. He occupies the 14th chair, with his own napkin tied around his neck and a full place setting of cutlery, china, and glass. In doing so, he ensures the superstition is never tested again. Plus if any guests want extras, I’m sure Kasper is only too happy to share!
Society Of Feline Artists 