Return to Media Centre

Strauss & Co kicks off new year with online treasure trove

27 Jan 2026

Strauss & Co springs into action in the new year with an impressive roster of online auctions for its first offering in 2026. The February timed online auctions have commenced and will close from 2pm on 9 and 10 February

Mirroring Strauss & Co’s online auction model, the current sale is designed to offer collectable and intriguing artworks suitable for a broad range of collectors, from experienced to occasional and new collectors interested in starting their journey in art. Accessibility of the works to a broad collector base is the driving force here, as Strauss & Co gears up for flagship sales over the period of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in late February. The sale is divided into five medium-specific sessions which run concurrently. A further session titled ‘Art Club’ features a selection of works designed to introduce newer collectors to the variety of collectable contemporary art available, drawing on Strauss & Co’s ongoing educational series of talks and exhibition presentations to avid audiences in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The first Art Club of the year will be held in Johannesburg on Tuesday 3 February. The range of work available for bidding is testament to Strauss & Co’s position of pre-eminence in the South African fine art auction landscape. Look out for affordable works by everyone from William Kentridge to Robert Hodgins, to Ayanda Mabulu and Simphiwe Ndzube, as well as extensive examples of South Africa’s strong tradition of mid-century Modern landscape and still life painters.

Two special focused sales close a day later on the 10 February. ‘Faces and Figures’, features work across a range of artists, time frames and mediums that reflect the theme. Look out for a poignant self-portrait by popular and prolific artist-eccentric Walter Battiss, and a group of works by influential modern/contemporary painter and printmaker Robert Hodgins, whose repertoire of satirical figures is well represented in the sale.

A unique single owner collection of ceramic works also closes on the 10th of February. The Peter Jaff collection of contemporary South African ceramics was assembled over decades by Peter Jaff, who sadly passed away at the end of 2025. Peter was an avid collector, an active ceramic artist himself, and deeply knowledgeable about ceramic art. Shortly before his death, he wrote these wise words to new collectors: ‘I would recommend focussing on pieces that appeal to personal tastes and not

only following trends. Collect what you love and don’t be afraid to bid high for something truly special. Each piece in my collection was purchased with love but above all reflects my maker’s understanding and respect for the craft.’

The fourth auction of this comprehensive set of offerings, inaugurating what promises to be a bumper year for art collectors, is a selection of art books from private libraries. Titled ‘Close Reference’, this focused sale closes on 11 February and offers art books from prominent South African private collectors’ libraries. A suite of titles on the doyenne of South African modernism, Irma Stern, is highlighted by her rare volumes on Zanzibar (1943) and Congo (1947). The first monographs on canonical Modernist painters Maggie Laubser (1944) and JH Pierneef (1945) feature, as well as every book published on these artists, and volumes on artists including Walter Battiss, Norman Catherine, Alexis Preller, and Maud Sumner, all drawn from one select library collection. A second collection highlights a rare collection of books on British sculptor Henry Moore, covering his sculptures, drawings and graphic designs. Bringing the book auction into the contemporary, a third library collection features some sought after monographs on the art of William Kentridge.

There is indeed, something for everyone, and some real collector’s gems on offer in the suite of auctions. Registering and bidding online is very easy to do.

BROWSE THE AUCTION

Ayanda Mabulu; Woman in Yellow and Gold

Robert Hodgins; The Hand

Jacob Hendrik Pierneef ; Kruiskerk Tulbagh (Nilant 6) (Rev)

Upcoming auctions:

Following on this suite of early February online sales are two special themed auctions to look out for:

Hair Matters: A Selection of Works from the Georgina Jaffee Collection is a live and virtual sale in Cape Town on Saturday, 21st February at 4 pm

BROWSE THIS AUCTION

Portway to Cohen: A Collector’s Legacy is a second themed live virtual sale in Cape Town on Saturday, 21st February at 6pm

BROWSE THIS AUCTION
feb online
CONSIGNMENT CALL
Lalique Glass
Strauss & Co is calling for consignments of
Lalique glass for our 2026 auction calendar.
CONTACT
jill@straussart.co.za
previousprevious
nextnext

Current Press Releases

Return to Media Centre

January

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January