SA artists fetch five-figure prices at sale

SA artists stole the show at the Westgate Walding decorative and fine arts sale in Wynberg on Wednesday when a number of works attracted five-figure bids.

In top spot were Adriaan Boshoff’s signed oil on board Cattle in Landscape (R40,000), and Alexander Rose-Innes’s signed oil on canvas Figures on Beach (R66,000).

Frans Oerder’s signed oil on canvas Hillside Villa in Landscape was unsold.

Also in this price range were Errol Boyley’s oil on board Children and Fishing Boats on Beach at Lowtide (unsold); Otto Klar’s signed oil on board Washday, Cape Fishing Cottages (unsold); John Koenakeef Mohl’s oil on board Fields at Indanda, Natal (R19,500) and Walter Battiss’s signed watercolour Rural Homestead, Rustenburg (R22,000).

Others attracting interest were Willem Hermanus Coetzer’s oil on board Figures in Extensive Landscape (R22,000); Hendrik Pierneef’s signed linocut Tweeling Pieke, Stellenbosch

(R22,000) and Maud Sumner’s signed oil on board Cityscape (R17,000).

An unusual offering in the furniture section was a 19th or 20th century Indian painted cart, which was unsold. An early 20th century Chinese lacquered cabinet (unsold) was a conversation piece.

Other pieces of interest were a William IV pedestal sideboard (R8,500), a 20th century Gors and Kallmann mahogany upright piano and stool (R3,500), a 1970s chrome arc lamp (unsold), a set of six Victorian mahogany bustle-back dining chairs (R6,500), an early 20th century oak Pembroke table (R1,500), a Victorian walnut work table (R1,500), an early 20th century carved African chest (R2,200) and a fine Victorian figured mahogany toilet mirror (R2,800).

Among the interesting pieces in the collectible section were a fine 20th century Christofle silver-plated five-piece tea service (R6,200); a large 20th century Lalique sepia-stained clear and frosted glass perfume bottle (R10,000); an Art Nouveau WMF silver-plated plaque (R5,500); an early 20th century Austrian gold-painted bronze figure of an Arab man praying (R5,500); and a mid-20th century baccarat clear and frosted crystal bust of a lady (unsold).

An early 20th century Arts and Crafts parcel gilt silver pedestal bowl by Elkington & Co was dated 1914 London and commemorated the 50th wedding anniversary of late 19th century British MP Halley Stewart and Jane Elizabeth Atkinson (R8,200).

A standalone piece was a large early 20th century Daum Nancy acid etched amber glass vase with engraved mark, circa 1930 (R12,000).

Of special interest were two jugs: an Art Nouveau silverplated mounted glass claret jug with cut and stained peacockfeather decoration (R2,200) and a George II silver covered jug (unsold). More unusual was a tortoiseshell tea caddy with inlaid silver stringing (unsold).

In top spot in the jewellery section was a an 18ct gold and diamond cluster ring, set with 29 round brilliant cut diamonds (R19,500).

A pair of 9ct gold and diamond stud earrings fetched R8,200 and an 18ct white gold tanzanite bracelet received a bid of R7,500.