
Important Announcements from Frank Kilbourn, Strauss & Co Executive Chairperson
2 Feb 2023
We have the privilege of building on the very solid results for 2022, a year in which we held 54 auction sessions, sold 6381 items and generated sales of R354 million.
2023 has kicked off with a bang and January has come and gone in a blur.
February is always a very important month for the Arts in Cape Town with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair drawing artists, galleries, art lovers and collectors from across the world to our shores.
The Strauss & Co team has created a very exciting program for the month of February focusing on art education, business development and curated sales. The program includes the following:
- a non-selling exhibition of key works by Sydney Kumalo and Ezrom Legae in anticipation of the launch of a catalogue raisonné on the work of these world-class artists,
- the launch of the Art Business Conference, the first of its kind to be hosted on the African continent,
- the launch of our new auction initiative, Curatorial Voices: Modern and Contemporary Art from Africa, a dynamic collaboration between Strauss & Co specialists and seven respected curators from various art hubs across the African continent, and
- the first of our regular monthly timed-online auctions for 2023.
In an exciting development, we have moved into our new offices at Brickfield in trendy Woodstock. The building is well known to our regular clients and we received very positive feedback on the auctions held at the premises in the last 18 months. Having our own exhibition space at our disposal, will enable us to contribute to the collateral events that make the Investec Cape Town Art Fair such an anticipated annual event.
We strongly believe that the new premises will allow us to streamline our operations and enhance our growth prospects and ability to provide an outstanding service to our clients.
The review held at our executive conference highlighted the need for us to make certain changes to our terms and conditions of business to reflect current market conditions and address new legislative requirements. We would like to bring the following six items to your attention:
1) New Buyer’s Premium and Seller’s Commission Structure
2) New Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) Regulation
3) Domestic Reverse Charge (DRC): Changes on VAT requirements for items containing
gold or traces thereof
4) Loadshedding/ Power outages: The way forward
5) Changes in the Decorative Arts Department
6) Handling of Unsold Lots
1) New Buyer’s Premium and Seller’s Commission Structure
Effective date: 1 February 2023
Since we opened in 2009, our buyer’s premium and seller’s commission have remained the lowest in the market. We intend to keep them as low as possible, but an adjustment is required to take into account the substantial increases in costs we have experienced since 2021.
In making the change, we considered market conditions and the overall desire to simplify and streamline our business processes. To this end, we have introduced a three-tier sliding scale, as detailed below. In order to keep things simple, the buyer’s premium and seller’s commission will be the same across all categories (art, decorative arts, jewellery and wine) and types of auctions handled by Strauss & Co.
PRIVATE BUYERS AND SELLERS ON LIVE AND ONLINE SALES:
Hammer Price | % |
R1 – R250 000 | 15% |
R250 001 – R1000 000 | 13.50% |
R1 000 001 + | 12.50% |
TRADE BUYERS ON LIVE AND ONLINE SALES:
Hammer Price | % |
R1 – R250 000 | 15% |
R250 001 – R1000 000 | 13.50% |
R1 000 001 + | 12.50% |
TRADE SELLERS:
A flat rate of 10% will be charged
Please note: VAT @ 15% is charged on the seller’s commission and on the buyer’s premium.
2) New Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) Regulation
Effective date: 19 December 2022
Following amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), we are obliged by law to implement the following:
- for all purchases over R100 000, Strauss & Co is required to submit to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) a significant amount of details on the buyer;
- an adjustment to our systems to capture the required information in order to simplify and automate these submissions to the FIC.
We will keep our clients updated on our progress in this regard and aim to implement these processes in the first half of 2023.
For more information, please refer to the FIC website at this link:
https://www.fic.gov.za/Pages/Home.aspx
3) Domestic Reverse Charge (DRC): Changes on VAT requirements for Items containing gold or traces thereof
Effective date: 1 July 2022
Where buyer and seller are both VAT registered and an item is purchased containing gold and traces thereof, there will be additional administrative requirements on both the supplier and recipient of these goods. These instances are rare, but it is important to take note.
For more information, please refer to the SARS website at this link:
4) Loadshedding/ Power outages: The way forward
Loadshedding and power outages are here to stay until further notice. The impact on our daily lives, on businesses, and on our country is enormous.
Whilst Strauss & Co is set up with efficient generators that kick in within seconds allowing our live virtual auctions to proceed regardless, this may not be the case for all our clients in their private capacity. In addition, Wi-Fi goes down during loadshedding unless one is equipped with an inverter or uninterrupted power supply (UPS). It is extremely frustrating and upsetting to be impeded from pursuing a lot that you would love to own.
We would like to remind our clients that we offer telephone bidding and encourage absentee/commission bids. Please contact us for any assistance required that will ensure that you are able to participate in our auctions.
5) Changes in the Decorative Arts Department
At the end of 2022, Vanessa Phillips, Founder, Director, and Head of the Decorative Arts Department (Furniture, Silver, Jewellery, Glass, Ceramics, Clocks and Watches) at Strauss & Co, retired. She has been an indomitable presence at Strauss & Co since its inception in 2009 and an overall force for good in the auction industry. We thank Vanessa for her immense contribution and will treasure her legacy. Her association with Strauss & Co will, however, continue, as will her presence at important public events in 2023.
The Decorative Arts items for our March flagship sale have already been consigned and catalogued and feature strong decorative arts and jewellery sessions, which we look forward to bringing to market.
We are in the process of refining the Decorative Arts sales calendar for the year and are currently engaged in a recruitment process to secure the necessary skills required.
In the interim, please direct all queries to Susie Goodman susie@straussart.co.za and Bina Genovese bina@straussart.co.za.
6) Unsold Lots
I am proud to say that last year we achieved nine white glove sales (auction lingo for a 100% sold rate) in our endeavour to find new homes for as many of the lots we handle as possible. The reality of the market, however, is that unsold lots are inevitable.
If a lot is unsold after the first attempt, we will commit to re-offering it once again on a platform appropriate for the lot in question, at a reduced estimate. If it is unsold a second time, sellers will be required to collect their lot/s within 14 days of the date of the sale. Uncollected lots will be sent to storage at the risk and expense of the seller.
Looking ahead to a vibrant 2023
Notwithstanding the macro-economic challenges of the last five years, we have managed to build a solid foundation with the support of our clients, achieving a turnover of over R300 million per annum for 4 of the 5 years in question. Our commitment to technology and subsequent increase in our online reach has expanded our market and we now have a buying base in 48 countries with an increase of 60 % in new buyers over the last 5 years. We are confident that we will be able to continue to build on this foundation and keep strengthening the market.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing you at Strauss & Co – either in person or online.

Frank Kilbourn
Executive Chairperson
Current Press Releases
November
- 2 Nov 2023 Internationally acclaimed but irrefutably South African: Strauss & Co’s marquee summer auction features important works by Billie Zangewa and William Kentridge
- 3 Nov 2023 Strauss & Co Unveils Exclusive Online Sale of Chinese Decorative Arts Masterpieces
- 11 Nov 2023 William Kentridge’s Cat Steals the Show at Johannesburg Auction Week
- 15 Nov 2023 Strauss & Co Unveils Enchanting Online Watch and Jewellery Sales
- 23 Nov 2023 Strauss & Co’s penultimate online auction for 2023 features a focus on Line | Colour | Shape | Form
- 24 Nov 2023 CALLING FOR CONSIGNMENTS: Paintings by J.H. Pierneef and Cinga Samson headline second-instalment of Strauss & Co’s Africa-focused auction in February 2024
- 27 Nov 2023 Strauss & Co and The Nel Erasmus Art Legacy Trust Present Conflux: A Retrospective by South African Postwar Artist Nel Erasmus
October
- 2 Oct 2023 With a focus on Studies and Drawings, Strauss & Co’s October online auction appeals to established and first-time collectors
- 4 Oct 2023 Recently discovered Renoir painting headlines Strauss & Co’s dynamic programme for Toyota US Woordfees
- 9 Oct 2023 Toyota US Woordfees presents exciting Benefit auction featuring established and emerging artists
- 11 Oct 2023 Strauss & Co’s Johannesburg Auction Week celebrates a century of unbroken creativity and invention in African Art
- 19 Oct 2023 Showpiece Renoir leads Strauss & Co’s 111-lot sale of international modern and contemporary art
- 23 Oct 2023 Fresh-to-market paintings by Pierneef, Preller, Sekoto and Stern to be sold during Johannesburg Auction Week
- 27 Oct 2023 International buyers flock to Strauss & Co’s spotlight auction featuring Chagall, Miró and an undiscovered Renoir
- 31 Oct 2023 Moses Tladi and Gerard Sekoto, who opened museum doors for black artists, lead an impressive offering of black moderns at Johannesburg Auction Week
September
- 4 Sep 2023 Strauss & Co Presents a Captivating Auction: Modern and Contemporary Art with a focus on Renowned Artist Alice Goldin
- 7 Sep 2023 Works from important single-owner and contemporary art with museum pedigree lead Strauss & Co’s marquee spring sale
- 12 Sep 2023 Exquisite Selection of Bordeaux and Bordeaux-Style South African Wines to Go Under the Hammer at Strauss & Co
- 21 Sep 2023 Unseen Renoir from South African collection, recently authenticated in Paris, headlines Strauss & Co’s globe-spanning auction
- 21 Sep 2023 Scandinavian designers, French winemakers and a canonical South African painter charm buyers at Strauss & Co’s spring sales
August
- 8 Aug 2023 Strauss & Co’s August online sale covers half a century of South African ceramic art
- 18 Aug 2023 Rare collections of the World's leading wines to be sold as single bottles
- 28 Aug 2023 Highly important Zanzibar portrait by Irma Stern of praying man poised to go under the hammer at Strauss & Co
- 28 Aug 2023 Leading/Inspirational businesswomen, Khetiwe McClain and Jo-Ann Strauss, join Strauss & Co
July
- 3 Jul 2023 Strauss & Co’s upcoming timed online auction provides art collectors with a special focus on the Eastern Cape
- 14 Jul 2023 J. H. Pierneef: Close to Home traces a half-century of innovation and unbroken fascination with the South African landscape
- 14 Jul 2023 Jewels Online: LAUNCH EDITION - Classic emeralds to contemporary designs
- 18 Jul 2023 August Art Month at Welgemeend celebrates the geography, essence and history of the Western Cape
June
- 7 Jun 2023 Strauss & Co’s June Timed Online Auction Features Renowned Contemporary and Early 20th Century Artists
- 8 Jun 2023 Wines from Burgundy & Champagne
- 9 Jun 2023 Rare collections of the world’s leading wines to be sold, together with a uniquely minted NFT, by Strauss & Co.
- 21 Jun 2023 Strauss & Co honours sculptors past and present with a dedicated sale and exhibition
- 26 Jun 2023 Strauss & Co Celebrating Silver
May
- 3 May 2023 Strauss & Co confirms its rock-solid reputation with a catalogue of blue-chip works by South African modernists for its May auction
- 3 May 2023 Strauss & Co's May Timed Online Auction Celebrates Namibian Landscape Art
- 12 May 2023 Rare and Fine Wine from Italy and Spain going under the hammer
- 12 May 2023 From Azaria to Zerffi – an eclectic collection from an art connoisseur family
- 17 May 2023 Rare colour work by exiled south African artist Dumile Feni sells for new world record price at Strauss & Co sale in Johannesburg
April
- 5 Apr 2023 April Timed Online Auction with a focus on Portraits, Heads and Character Studies
- 6 Apr 2023 The 2023 Cassirer Welz Award Winner
- 20 Apr 2023 Important Black Modernist Artists Lead Strauss & Co May Auction In Johannesburg
March
- 2 Mar 2023 Strong results at Strauss & Co’s maiden auction of modern and contemporary art from Africa
- 6 Mar 2023 Strauss & Co’s upcoming March timed online auction celebrates colour and nuance
- 13 Mar 2023 Strauss & Co bring important works by Pierneef, Preller, Stern and Tretchikoff to market
- 23 Mar 2023 Strauss & Co’s strong catalogue of women artists tracks a history of innovation from Maggie Laubser and Irma Stern to Sethembile Msezane and Ruby Swinney
- 23 Mar 2023 Art Nouveau: The Birth of Modern Style with Guest Lecturer, Dr Gregorio Thaon di Revel Mazzonis di Pralafera
- 29 Mar 2023 Record price for Irma Stern at Strauss & Co sale affirms South Africa’s status as the best marketplace to trade artworks by premium South African modernists
February
- 2 Feb 2023 Important Announcements from Frank Kilbourn, Strauss & Co Executive Chairperson
- 6 Feb 2023 Strauss & Co kicks off 2023 with a revitalised programme of online auctions
- 14 Feb 2023 Celebrating Esias Bosch’s centenary
- 16 Feb 2023 Strauss & Co and SANAVA partner on charity auction to secure artists’ studios in Paris
- 16 Feb 2023 The 2023 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Rhône-themed auction is one of our finest line-ups yet, featuring iconic producers from France, South Africa and the New World.
- 23 Feb 2023 Chairperson’s Report
- 27 Feb 2023 Strauss & Co’s Curatorial Voices auction maps the story of art from Gerard Sekoto to Cinga Samson
- 27 Feb 2023 "Art is a human virtue and I have given my whole self to it, for it promotes understanding among races rather than destroys it."—Gerard Sekoto
December
November
- 1 Nov 2022 Irma Stern’s bold portrait of a modern woman presents an opportunity for collectors
- 2 Nov 2022 Strauss & Co presents the most prestigious fine wine collection ever to come to market in SA
- 11 Nov 2022 Strauss & Co’s final live sale of 2022 honours the legacy of art collector, Dr Matthys Johannes Strydom
- 11 Nov 2022 Broad interest in historical and contemporary art underpins Strauss & Co’s solid results
- 18 Nov 2022 Strauss & Co presents works owned by Matthys Strydom, art dealer and storyteller extraordinaire
- 24 Nov 2022 The pedigree of art dealer and collector Matthys Strydom’s collection sees collectors pay premium prices at Strauss & Co auction
- 24 Nov 2022 Strauss & Co’s upcoming November online-only auction offers art collectors a special focus on the Cape
- 25 Nov 2022 Twinkle-twinkle little star, how about some Christmas cheer from Strauss & Co?
- 30 Nov 2022 Norval Foundation Benefit Auction 2022
October
- 11 Oct 2022 Strauss & Co heralds summer with a curated programme of Johannesburg sales
- 13 Oct 2022 Strauss & Co to present the first-ever sale exclusively devoted to Robert Hodgins
- 27 Oct 2022 International report identifies Strauss & Co as dominant reseller of works by William Kentridge
- 27 Oct 2022 Strauss & Co’s sculpture-only sale explores the story of SA sculpture, from past to present