South African Auction confirms strengths in the art market

September 11, 2009   [ Archived ]

Johannesburg: Strauss & Co's auction held this week at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead confirms certain strengths in the art market and that South Africa is the place to buy South African art.

Works of serious collectors’ merit continue to command high prices, notably two interior scenes by Freida Lock, one of a kitchen, which set a world record for the artist of R1 002 600, and a little gem of an entrance hall, estimated at R400 000 – 600 000 and ultimately selling for over R800 000. The diverse group of works by Edoardo Villa performed extremely well, The Masai Warrior setting a world record of R646 120.

This sale bodes well for Strauss & Co’s eagerly anticipated inaugural Cape Town sale next month. The first two sales have already realised a total of R63 million and with one more still to come, Strauss & Co. will undoubtedly prove to be the premier fine art auction house in South Africa by the end of its first year of operation.

Stephan Welz, Managing Director of Strauss & Co commented after the sale:
“Despite negative pointers in the current world economic status, the sale was very well attended and it is evident that serious collectors continue to be the driving force in the market at present”.

Press enquiries and images
Bina Genovese
bina@straussart.co.za, mobile 083 680 9944