Session One on Tuesday 16 November started off with a strong showing of Africana, South African Art Books, contemporary Anglo-Boer War photographs, documents and other fascinating ephemera. The Ephemera Collection of the late Dr Ryno Greenwall, author of the acclaimed reference work: Artists and Illustrators of the Anglo-Boer War was sold in lots 1 through 72. Barring one item, all lots were sold at excellent prices. Competitive estimates were swept aside by keen bidding, proving that there is a demand for Anglo-Boer War items, provided that they are described in detail to attract the interest of the collector. Lot 35, as an example, an original diary of a Reuter’s Despatch rider in Natal 1899-1900 with related original documentation realised R 7 000 (pre –sale estimate R 2 000 – 2 500). A similar example, lot 43, concerning the Siege of Kimberley sold for R 11 000 (estimate R 1 500 – 2 000). Mafeking Siege Dinner Memorabilia 1900-1913 (estimate R 900 – 1 500) realised R 9 000. Original sketches by Angus McNeil, (lot 51) illustrator of Churchill’s River War and his commanding officer while Churchill served in Montmorency’s Scouts, realised R 50 000 (estimate R 5 000 – 6 000). An unusual publication (lot 58), The Veldt Lyre published in 1900 with soft covers, covering the activities of the second New Zealand Contingent, realised R22 000 with a pre sale estimate of R 2 500 – 4 000.

 

Lot 78, A bone vesta case made by a Boer POW on St Helena in 1902 realised R 50 000 (estimate R 3 000 – 4 000). The latter was not part of the Greenwall collection but illustrates a great interest in Boer POW items. Continuing in Session 1, the first half of the paintings was brought under the hammer. Of particular mention in this session were two mixed media pieces by Judith Mason, lots 266 and 267, selling for R 17 920 and R 24 60 respectively.

 

Session Two commenced with a selection of collectible cars, with lot 282, a 1969 Rolls Shadow 1, selling for R 168 000. Continuing in this session, lots 291 through 304 was part of a dedicated charity auction for Friends of the Gallery. All fourteen works were kindly donated to the gallery by friends and artists alike to further art education. Out of these works Lot 291, a Deborah Bell work, sold brilliantly for R 12 320. The rest of the session dedicated solely to paintings, had quite a few good results. Starting with the more contemporary works, lot 305, IMPLEMENTS, by Walter Battiss, astounded by selling for R 56 000, on a pre-sale estimate of R 20 000 – 25 000. Furthermore, photography as a rather new medium at auction, did well, with lot 314, ALEX CHURCH, by Michael Meyersfeld selling for R 61 600. A beautiful John Meyer, CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS, (lot 318) sold for R 179 200, whilst two William Kentridges drew lots of attention – lot 312 and 313 selling for R 190 400 and R 224 000 respectively. A large Catherine Paynter (lot 458) entitled ISLAND SCENE WITH PALM TREES realised a stellar R 47 040.

 

Pieter Hugo Naude fared very well with lot 332, WINTER LANDSCAPE NEAR OKIEP, selling for R 246 400, above the high estimate. A small Maud Sumner work attracted quite a bit of attention – lot 367, READING IN THE LIBRARY, reached a mentionable R 268 800 on a pre-sale estimate of R 100 000 – 150 000. A beautiful large Paul du Toit work, LANDSCAPE NOORDHOEK (lot 410) created a stir, selling for R 78 400 in the end. Works by Pierneef, Maggie Laubser, Irma Stern and Francois Krige all sold well within estimate. Hennie Niemann Jnr and Senior yet again, performed exceptionally well, with mostly all of the paintings going for the high estimate or more. Two fantastic Van Wouw castings done by the Italian Nisini foundry (lot 475) KRUGER IN BALINGSCHAP and (lot 476) THE SHANGAAN reached R 504 000 and R 560 000 respectively. All three works by John Koenakeefe Mohl did exceptionally well, with the results as follows: Lot 481 CAUGHT ON THE STATION BRIDGE sold for R 246 400, lot 482, SOUTH EAST OF SEROWE, attained R 61 600 and lot 483, OFF DUTIES AT SUNSET reached R 212 800. The lot that surprised the most, was lot 489, PORTRAIT by Gerard Sekoto, reaching a magnificent R 420 000, almost four times its low estimate.

 

The Third Session of the sale on Wednesday 17 November produced some exciting results. From the English furniture section a beautiful Victorian amboyna ebonised and gilt-metal mounted display cabinet (lot 529) sold for R 29 120, far exceeding its pre-sales estimate of R 15 000 – 20 000. Another fine piece, lot 533, a Victorian burr walnut marble-topped credenza had similar success, selling for R 29 120 well over its estimate of R 12 000 – 15 000. Continental furniture fared similarly well with lot 563, a striking Dutch Louis XV burr walnut armoire realising R 100 800, after enthusiastic bidding (pre-sales estimate of R 60 000 – 80 000). Interestingly, lot 585, an Italian designer lamp by FLOS went for R 17 920, designed in 1962 by Achille and Pier Giacomo, exhibiting the growing market for modern design.

 

Amongst the highlights of the latter part of the session was the result of R 13 440 for a handsome Cape Regency stinkwood rusbank (lot 590) and an unusual Chinese red lacquered cabinet from the 19^th century selling for R 7 280 (lot 601). In the carpet section similar success rained with lot 643, an Ispahan Rug, Persia, circa 1960, selling for R 56 000 and lot 646, a Hereke Silk and Metal Prayer Rug, Turkey, circa 1970, sold for R 24 640.

 

Continuing Session Three, the ceramic session saw steady bidding throughout, with several highlights. The featured Carlton Ware luster ginger jar and cover, lot 690, sold at its mid-estimate of R 31 360, and lot 725, the Lalique ‘Malherbes’ frosted amber vase reached R 44 800. Lot 719, the beautiful pair of blue-and-white Oriental plates, with a high estimate of R 3 500, saw the hammer come down at R 15 680. The main surprise of this session however was lot 687, the extensive Spode ‘Italian’ pattern dinner service which attracted keen bidding, ultimately selling for R 33 600, a little over four times its low estimate.

 

The session concluded on an exceptionally good note with silverware. The ever popular silver work of Zimbabwean Patrick Mavros again enjoyed a solid performance with all the lots going for nearly double their estimates. Lot 760 an elephant statue with ivory tusks, estimated at R 5 000 – 6 000 sold for R 10 080. Lot 762 a collection of silver miniature sculptures estimated at R 2 000 - 2 500 was sold for an impressive R 8 400. Amongst the other silver items, lot 777 an assembled set of Old English pattern cutlery contained in a mahogany canteen, went for a sterling R 42 560. A stunning five-piece Irish silver tea set (lot 780) estimated at R 25 000 - 30 000 sold for an inspiring R 53 760.

 

Session Four commenced with an exciting selection of wristwatches. All of the watches on auction sold. Of particular mention is lot 833 a gentleman's 18ct gold Cartier Tank American wristwatch which was estimated at R 30 000 - 40 000, ultimately achieving an impressive R 67 200. Watches continued to do exceedingly well with a gentleman's 18ct rose gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Moon wristwatch (lot 837) selling for R 53 760, well above its estimate of R 30 000 - 40 000. Lot 839 a Panerai Radiomir gentleman's stainless steel wristwatch, which was expected to fetch between R 25 000 - 30 000, sold for R 44 800. The ever popular Rolex Oyster Perpetual gentleman's stainless steel wristwatch (lot 840) did well, selling for R 29 120. 

Considering the success of the wristwatches, jewellery had a tough act to follow. However, early in the jewellery session, a 3,42ct solitaire diamond ring estimated to fetch R 45 000 - 65 000 achieved a dazzling R 100 800. The antique jewellery failed to disappoint when a highly collectable selection of Georgian and Victorian miniature fob seal pendants (lot 851) went for double its high estimate at R 7 840. Lot 872, a 2,37ct Art Deco diamond ring, estimated at R 30 000 - 40 000 went for R 53 760.

 

The perpetually popular tennis bracelets also did well with lots 888 and 889, both 18ct rose gold tennis bracelets achieving R 33 600 and R 29 120 respectively. Lot 923, a pair of diamond and South Sea pearl earrings, attracted a lot of interest amongst our female clientele, and did extremely well , superseding the estimate of R 4 000 - 6 000, selling for a spectacular R 26 880. Session Four ended off on an extremely high note when lot 1032, a collection of twelve perfume bottles, went for over double its high estimateat R 15 680.

 

The first Johannesburg sale for next year is scheduled for April 2011 with consignment closing end January. For further details, please refer to our website www.swelco.co.za or call 011 880 3125 and ask for the relevant department.