Twinkle-twinkle little star, how about some Christmas cheer from Strauss & Co?

25 Nov 2022

Possibly a Victorian diamond and gold star brooch for someone special paired with a graceful bronze of the gladiolus carneus flower by Nic Bladen? How about a luxurious Qing Dynasty picnic set paired with a fine wine from Sijnn wines?

Currently live, Strauss & Co’s timed online-only auction includes a full house of collectable fine art, decorative arts and wine.

Vanessa Phillips, who heads up the Decorative Arts and Jewellery departments, highlights a vintage carnelian and gold ring (estimate R8 000–10 000) designed in the form of an alert eye as particularly attractive. She describes a pair of Japanese bronze models of warriors (estimate R120 000–150 000) produced by the Miyao Company of Yokohama as a sensational example of craftsmanship from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

The 70-lot jewellery session includes two private collections of Georgian-period rings and portrait miniatures. Three lots of attractive Edwardian jewellery include a seed pearl sautoir (estimate R8 000–10 000), a pair of elegant EP Mallory of Bath mother-of-pearl, enamel and gold cufflinks (estimate R4 000–6 000), and a pretty gold locket set with a diamond, accompanied by a further locket and an opal, emerald and ruby ring (estimate R8 000-10 000). Also noteworthy is a pair of diamond and 18-carat white gold pendant earrings (estimate R40 000–50 000) and a beautiful Chinese seed pearl and pink rose quartz necklace and earring demi parure (estimate R7 000–9 000), all of which would make perfect Christmas presents.

Aficionados of Scandinavian designer Georg Jensen will delight in the silver necklace, model No 133, designed by Tuk Fischer (estimate R8 000–10 000) and another, model No 171, designed by Flemming Eskildsen (estimate R3 000–4 000). An unmarked 20-carat gold chain composed of a series of spiral links (estimate R70 000–75 0000) has been tested and certified by Cape Precious Metals. As part of its service, Strauss & Co frequently conducts independent tests to assay the quality of its jewellery.

The 160-lot consignment of Oriental works of art includes a substantial single-owner collection spanning a number of Chinese dynasties. There is a noteworthy consignment of Chinese silver dating from the turbulent period marking the end of Dynastic rule in China in 1912. The pieces include a silver teapot and miniature silver two-handled vase (estimate R6 000–8 000 each), as well as three lots by Wang Hing & Company, a prolific maker of Chinese export silver. There is a bundled consignment comprising a moulded silver frame and ornate silver belt-and-buckle set featuring dragon motifs (estimate R4 000–6 000).

Noted South African ceramicist Hylton Nel has consigned a Chinese scholar’s stone (estimate R8 000 – 10 000) and a variety of South-East Asian brown-glazed martavans (estimate range from R1 500–6 000). Looking to gift an erudite partner? Strauss & Co is offering a Qing Dynasty boxwood ruyi sceptre profusely carved with the figure of Buddha and deities (estimate R8 000–10 000). It is a knockout.

Strauss & Co’s timed online-only sale of jewellery and Oriental works of art concludes on Monday, 28 November 2022 at 6pm.