Important South African and International Art
23 May 2016
at The Wanderers Club Ballroom, 21 North Street, Illovo, Johannesburg
Millions achieved for South African Art at Strauss & Co
Strauss & Co’s auction in Johannesburg last night which achieved a total of almost R42 million, was characterised by a packed auction room and a busy bank of telephones. The top lot of the auction, Irma Stern’s Portrait of Freda Feldman with Basuto Hat, which sold on the telephone for over R5 million, was repatriated from Australia to be sold by Strauss & Co.
Works by JH Pierneef performed extremely well, the top lot being Winter Bosveld which sold for over R1,8 million. All 11 works on offer by Pierneef sold well over their estimates affirming the enduring strength of his market.
The biggest surprise of the evening was the frenzied bidding on Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Sunflowers which sold for over R1,7 million against a presale estimate of R400 000 – 600 000. This exceptional work, which has never been on the market before, was purchased directly from the artist in 1959, the year it was painted.
Contemporary art was snapped up by new and seasoned collectors alike. Artists such as William Kentridge, Norman Catherine, Willem Boshoff, Pieter Hugo, Kudzanai Chiurai and Cameron Platter performed exceptionally well.
Dendy Easton, international auctioneer, Antiques Road Show art expert and ex-Sotheby’s director UK, who took the Evening Session of the sale, complemented Strauss & Co on the exceptional results achieved – over 80% sold by lot and by value combined – and on the high standard of their catalogue, marketing and modus operandi.
Once again a thrilling auction reaffirms Strauss & Co’s position as the global market leader for South African art.
Important South African and International Art – 23 May 2015 – Top Ten Lots
Total: R41,5 million 80% sold by lot and value combined
| Lot 282 : Irma Stern, Portrait of Freda Feldman in BasutoHat | R5 115 600 |
| Lot 242: Jacob HendrikPierneef, Winter Bosveld
| R1 818 880 |
| Lot 294, Vladimir GriegorovichTretchikoff, Sunflowers
| R1 705 200 |
| Lot 259 Jacob HendrikPierneef Umbrella Thorn
| R1 079 960 |
| Lot 235: Edward Seago (British 1910-1974), The Yellow Sail | R1 079 960 |
| Lot 254: Irma Stern, Still Life with Mask
| R1 023 120 |
| Lot 311: Cecil Edwin Frans Skotnes, Uranium
| R932 176 |
| Lot 243: Jacob HendrikPierneef, Landscape with Acacias | R625 240 |
| Lot 281: Gerard Sekoto, Woman Carrying Fruit
| R568 400 |
| Lot 315: Edoardo Daniele Villa, The Meeting, maquette
| R568 400 |
Prices quoted are inclusive of buyer’s premium
Tel: 011 728 8246 | email: jhb@straussart.co.za
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Image Caption: Vladimir Griegorovich Tretchikoff, Sunflowers (detail shown here). Sold R1 705 200