Two paintings which previously shook the South African art market are to be offered for sale at auction again in March.

Two remarkable paintings by Pieter Wenning (1873-1921) coming up at Strauss & Co’s next auction on 7 March, offer intriguing views of early Cape Town.

A Cape Silver coffee pot by an unknown 18th century Cape silversmith with the initials HNS last night sold for R512 400.

Cape Town: At Strauss & Co’s first auction of the year held last week, showcasing some of the best that South African art has to offer, a total of R50 815 000 was achieved, the second highest total in the company’s third year of operation. Three new records were secured: JH Pierneef, Pieter Wenning and Cape silver.

The Mount Nelson, Cape Town: Last night at a charity auction conducted by Stephan Welz, Managing Director of Strauss & Co on behalf of WWF, the opportunity of naming a new found species of iris raised R550 000.

The paintings of Pieter Wenning, a grossly underrated artist in the opinion of Stephan Welz, are exciting much interest amongst art collectors with At Claremont, CP having sold for R1 782 400 at Strauss & Co’s March 2011 sale in Cape Town, establishing a new record for the artist.

Strauss & Co’s upcoming auction at the Johannesburg Country Club, Woodmead, on 16 May has many highlights and some surprises. Reflecting on recent trends, Stephan Welz, Strauss & Co’s esteemed auctioneer, anticipates an impending and necessary shift of emphasis in the South African art market.

The publicity we have put out for this remarkable painting by Irma Stern has elicited response enabling us to identify the sitter – a distinguished, if not one of the greatest South African musicians ever.

JOHANNESBURG: Strauss & Co’s auction held on Monday 16 May reinforced the strength of the current art market when a capacity audience bid enthusiastically on key art pieces realising a total of R37 902 555.

An exhibition and auction of artworks by prominent alumni from the Michaelis School of Fine Art – in aid of bursaries and scholarships at the school - From the 12 to 20 July 2011 the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, will host a fundraising exhibition and auction of work of its prestigious alumni and staff, in aid of bursaries and scholarships at the school, Hiddingh Campus, 37 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town.