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SA Art Rocks

11 Jun 2012

In an auction first, the painting depicting a distinguished Omani gentleman was proudly introduced to a packed auction room by His Excellency Mr Khalid Ba’Omar, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman who spotted it in the Sunday Times and recognised the sitter as being from his country. Thereafter the auctioneer took over and after fierce bidding between the room and the telephones, the painting was finally knocked down for double the auction house’s pre-sale estimate selling to a South African buyer in the room. Rapturous applause ensued.

Numerous other record prices were established with many lots realising three to six times their pre-sale estimate. A notable record was that for Alfred Thoba’s 1976 Riots which sold for R913 480 over R800 000 more than his previous record. Two works by Robert Hodgins, Et in Arcadia Ego and A Gentleman from Mexico, sold for R1002 600 and R779 800 respectively, setting a new record for the artist.

A spokesman for Strauss & Co expressed his delight at the amazing result which can be likened to some of the major sales taking place in London and New York. The total of R39 257 943 is some 10% higher than the highest expectations before the sale. This establishes Strauss & Co as the undoubted market leader in South Africa now having sold 9 of the 10 most expensive paintings ever sold at auction in South Africa in the last two years.

Media Enquiries
Bina Genovese (bina@straussart.co.za)
083 680 9944