Cape Argus E-dition

SA art still selling strong

NATHAN ADAMS nathan.adams@inl.co.za

THE appetite for South African art has not waned during the Covid-19 lockdown. Although auction houses had to adapt, the gavel has not gathered dust.

Recently, old master JH Pierneef’s winter bushveld scene from 1940 sold for R2.6 million. Acacia in the Veld was one 69 lots in the Strauss & Co White Glove auction held this week.

Strauss & Co’s executive chairperson Frank Kilbourn said: “The depth of interest in Pierneef, one of our Old Masters, is remarkable. At one point we had over 650 bidders viewing a historic white-glove sale, when all the works on offer sold.

“The bulk of the people placing bids were aged between 40 and 59, which is very promising. I am encouraged that among the successful bidders, half of them were new buyers.”

Strauss & Co also announced that a record was set at this auction.

“Pierneef’s linocuts – an important aspect of his popular appeal during his lifetime, appearing on magazine covers and illustrating books of popular verse – also attracted considerable interest.

“The top linocut sold was printed in 1941 and featured a silhouette of an imperious baobab; estimated to sell for R40 000, it attracted 36 bids and eventually sold for R432 440, a new world record for a Pierneef linocut.”

Joint managing director of Strauss & Co, Bina Genovese, said: “We started hosting online auctions in 2016. Last year when Covid struck we had to find a solution to our marquee auction. In March last year we had already prepared a 650 lot auction and the catalogue was already printed.”

Russell Kaplan said their Winter Wunderkamer Auction was a success.

“It was an outstanding result. We registered just under 2 000 people for the auction bidders and an almost 90 percent sale through rate and we have started consigning items for the Wunderkammer Auction.”

METRO

en-za

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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