Strauss & Co valuation roadshow coming to Graaff-Reinet

Advertorial

GRAAFF-REINET BUSINESS NEWS — On Thursday, 24 May, experts from Strauss & Co, South Africa's premier auction house and the global leader for South African art, will be visiting Graaff-Reinet to conduct confidential and obligation-free valuations of South African art, silver, Chinese porcelain and furniture.

Members of the public are invited to take advantage of this special opportunity for one-on-one consultations with our specialists and discover the market value of their art and antiques.

The valuation day will take place at the Drostdy Hotel in Church Street. A R20 per item donation will go towards supporting the museums.

For an appointment, please call 021 683 6560 or email kirsty@straussart.co.za.

Strauss & Co, was founded by the late Stephan Welz, son of the artist Jean Welz. As the doyen of the South African art auction circuit, Stephan left behind a buoyant marketplace where works of art consistently attract the attention of both local and international buyers.

As a testament to the bullish performance of the marketplace and its position as global leader, last year Strauss & Co realised a turnover of R329 million - the highest the company has ever achieved since its inception in 2009.

Strauss & Co holds numerous artist records, for example, R20,5 million for J.H. Pierneef 's Farm Jonkershoek with Twin Peaks Beyond, Stellenbosch, R21 million for Irma Stern's Two Arabs and R8,5 million for Alexis Preller's The Creation of Adam I.

Strauss & Co specialists are constantly on the move in search of art and antiques to include in their auctions and unexpected treasures are often unearthed at these valuation days.

Last year a Pierneef casein was discovered at the Fyn Arts Festival in Hermanus and a charming still life by Maggie Laubser was discovered at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. Both of these works sold extremely successfully much to the delight of the consignors.

One of the most remarkable finds in recent memory took place in Pietermaritzburg, where a still life by Vladimir Tretchikoff was discovered. Painted in 1959, his iconic Sunflowers had been hanging on the wall of a tea room since it was purchased from the artist in 1959. Tretchikoff had pulled in at a filling station when he noticed some interesting artworks hanging in the tea room.

He immediately went out and fetched Sunflowers from the boot of his Cadillac. The owner who had just got lucky at the races, purchased the artwork for 500 guineas, little knowing that all these years later that this same artwork would achieve a staggering R1,7 million at a Strauss & Co auction.

Strauss & Co are currently inviting consignments for their forthcoming auction that takes place in Cape Town on 15 October. Please call for further information 021 683 6560.

Vladimir Tretchikoff's 'Sunflowers' sold for R1 705 200.