PRESS RELEASE __________________________________________________________NOVEMBER 2009
Stephan Welz & Company's year-end auction boasts over 900 lots
in two days and four sessions
Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 November 2009 will see the company's Rosebank sale rooms all set to end the year with a landmark auction. The occasion will have broad appeal across all departments with the Paintings Department presenting the flagship session on the Tuesday evening supplemented by a significant portion of the same day's afternoon event. Following the success of recent specialist sessions, Wednesday evening is focussed on jewellery and watches. Both evening sessions will start at 18h30, a little earlier than usual, to allow for the substantial volume of consignments.
 Lot 346
The Paintings Department of Stephan Welz & Company is justifiably proud of the array of art being presented, with all the stellar names in the traditional South African art field being represented. There is a wide range of works on offer in both sessions for art collectors and enthusiasts alike. From traditional landscapes such as a Pierneef at R500 000 - R800 000 (Lot 310: 'Landscape with Tree') to a more contemporary Kentridge at R400 000 - R600 000 (Lot 468: 'Drawing from Felix in Exile'), from the sale's van Essche 'cover lot' (Lot 346: 'Interior, Cape'), estimated at R250 000 to R350 000 to a subdued Krenz (Lot 350: 'White Cottages in the Sand, Arniston') at R50 000 - R80 000, the sale broadens the meaning of ‘choice’.
 Lot 52
The first auction session starts at 14h00 on Tuesday 17 November with another well-supported Books and Maps session. Apart from some fascinating items of Anglo-Boer War memorabilia, two lots of books deliver standout appeal. Lot 52, a sixteen volume set of Baron Cuvier's 'The Animal Kingdom' carries a low estimate of R12 000 while Lot 53, a 1772 first Dutch edition of Louis de Bougainville's 'Reis Rondom de Weereldt' should start at R22 000. The last lot of the section is Lot 107, a John Speed map of Africa published by G Humble in 1626, conservatively estimated at R8 000 - R12 000. The first session then moves on to some 130 South African, British and Continental paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints. This session is a precursor to the upcoming evening session, yet it includes its own appealing spread of work from artists such as Carter, Mayer, Roworth, Kay, Ampenberger, Tugwell, Oldert, Krige, Preller, Battiss and Buchner.
Tuesday evening's painting session, starting at 18h30, is dedicated to over two hundred works in the category of South African traditional, modern and contemporary paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints and sculptures. Apart from the examples mentioned at the beginning of this release, auction fans, art collectors and investors will share the pleasure of many beautiful and significant works going under the hammer.
As examples … Francois Krige's vibrant colours feature in the examples of his work on offer. The Cape's Montagu area is the focus of Lot 351 ('Geelbeck Farm, Westcoast' : R250 000 to R350 000) and Lot 353 ('Fynbos at Tolbos, Montagu' : R200 000 to R300 000). In contrast, Vladimir Tretchikoff's bold approach is in evidence in two works of differing genres. The iconic portrait ,Lot 380 ('Zulu Maiden': R400 000 to R600 000), contrasts with the impressive still life of Lot 383 ('Poinsettias': R200 000 - R300 000).
 Lot 320
Dutch impressionist influence will be noted in the enchanting Pieter Wenning (Lot 320 'Still life with Nasturtiums in Vases') at R250 000 to R350 000. A notable work by another South African impressionist painter, Gregoire Boonzaier is Lot 321: 'Demolition, Old Cape Town', featuring the historical District Six, estimated at R200 000 - R300 000.
It is difficult to single out paintings for specific significance, but works of importance include : an early Maggie Laubser, Lot 311 ('Portrait of a Young Girl': R300 000 - R500 000),George Pemba's Lot 401 ('The Card Game': R250 000 to R350 000), an impressive Alexis Preller from the early seventies (Lot 412 'Starry Night' : R350 000 to R450 000), a Douglas Portway abstract (Lot 365: 'Abstract Figure': R150 000 to R250 000) and Helmut Starke's lot 467 ('Interior with Tulips and Rhino Skull': R50 000 to R70 000).
 Lot 412
The Tuesday evening session includes a charity section boasting an array of contemporary South African artists' works at most reasonable estimates. The proceeds will be donated to The Friends of Johannesburg Art Gallery and The TUKS Alumni Bursary Fund.
The second day, Wednesday 18 November, comprises two sessions, each with a substantial number of lots on offer. The afternoon session starts at 14h00 and has an in-home décor bias, covering carpets, furniture, clocks, ceramics, glass and collectors' items, electroplate and silver all with their own features and again, the company feels it has secured consignments to appeal to all tastes and budgets.
The carpets going under the hammer, for example, range from Lot 494, an Afghan Rug estimated at R800 - R1 200 right up to Lot 506, a fine signed, Turkish Hereke Silk and Metal rug,circa 1910, at an estimate of R250 000 - R350 000.
 Lot 556
Furniture then takes centre stage, featuring an imposing 251cm tall Dutch Louis XV walnut armoire (Lot 545: R60 000 - R80 000), a magnificent 18th Century Dutch oak, rosewood and ebony kussenkas (Lot 548: R60 000 - R80 000) and a mid 19th Century Continental 'Boulle' ebonised and gilt-metal mounted cabinet (Lot 556: R40 000 - R60 000). Cape stinkwood, yellowwood and pine is also in evidence and the section comes to a close with Lot 600, a most unusual pine apothecary cabinet with 72 drawers and a modest estimate of R10 000 – R15 000.
 Lot 634
The ceramics section includes three particularly appealing items, one of which is the company's 'back cover lot' for the recently published catalogue. It is Lot 642, a stunningly beautiful Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre 'Candlemas' pattern vase from the 1920s, 21cm high and carrying an estimate of R40 000 - R60 000. The supporting cast in this exciting seventy-lot section includes Lot 634, a Clarice Cliff 'Trees and Houses' pattern Isis vase from the 1930s in a rare red colourway (R20 000 - R25 000) and Lot 687, a 19th Century Chinese blanc-de-chine figure of Guanyin (R3 000 - R4 000).
 Lot 716
The afternoon session is rounded off by the company's silver department with some fifty lots of electroplate and silver from around the world. Of note is Lot 716, a delightful Zimbabwean silver sculpture by Patrick Mavros, estimated at R2 500 - R3 500. In more traditional vein is Lot 72, a George lll silver tankard, possibly James Baker of London, 1761, at R25 000 - R35 000.
 Lot 805 (lower) Lot 806 (upper)
Wednesday evening at 18h30 sees the start of the ever-popular jewellery session, this time starting with pocket watches and wristwatches. Of immediate appeal is Lot 762, an English enamelled and diamond open-faced pocket watch brooch from the 19th Century, estimated at R10 000 - R15 000. Then, collectors of quality will be in their element as Lots 805 and 806 respectively come under the hammer. The first is a Rolex Oyster gentleman's 'GMT - Master' (R20 000 - R30 000) and the second is a Rolex Oyster gentleman's Perpetual DateJust (R18 000 - R24 000). Both are highly sought after and are accompanied by the requisite documentation.
The final section of the fourth session of the two day auction focuses on the JewelleryDepartment in the form of diamonds with certificates, antique, period & contemporary jewellery, unset gemstones, and, as a finale, objects of vertu. With some 200 lots to go under the hammer, there is little doubt that there will be something of appeal to everyone, including those with an eye to Christmas presents of timeless value.
 Lot 888
Feature lots include Lot 888, an utterly impressive diamond hinged bangle with a pair of matching earrings. The ring boasts approximately 12,50cts of round brilliant-cut diamonds and the earrings another 5,45cts in total, all set in 18ct white and yellow gold. The pre-sale estimate is R70 000 - R80 000. Our final feature in this release is a piece much admired at a recent charity affair. Lot 912 is a blue topaz (76cts), citrine (64,5cts) and amethyst (60,5cts) pendant with a tapering 9ct white gold choker, estimated at R30 000 - R40 000.
For further information, please phone the company's Johannesburg office on 011 880 3125, or visit the website www.swelco.co.za
VIEWING TIMES
Friday 13 November 10h00 to 17h00
Saturday 14 November 10h00 to 13h00
Sunday 15 November 10h00 to 17h00
AUCTION SESSION TIMES
Tuesday 17 November 14h00 Session One
18h30 Session Two
Wednesday 18 November 14h00 Session Three
18h30 Session Four
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