Master painters’ works up for auction
THE Omni Fine Art Auctioneers July sale will be sure to lure art fundis, as it will feature a number of important works by local master painters, including JH Pierneef, Maggie Laubser, Peter Clarke, Jean Welz, Irma Stern and Keith Alexander.
A collection of Swarovski collectables, along with international and local furniture, silver and jewellery and watches will be on offer at Omni’s auction on July 25 and 26 at their Newlands showroom.
A man’s collection, consisting of over 160 rare books, will also be on auction, including many first editions, covering a wide spectrum of subject matter ranging from Africana to international furniture and art.
From the jewellery and watch departments, clients can look forward to an 18ct gold and stainless steel Datejust Rolex watch (estimated at R80 000 – R100 000), an 18ct white gold heart-shaped Tanzanite pendant weighing 265ct set with 50 round brilliant-cut diamonds (estimated at R1.25 million – R1. 45m) and an 18ct white gold diamond tennis bracelet (estimated at R70 000 – R90 000).
Without a doubt, one of the highlights is also an early work by Pierneef, Waterberge (estimated value of R400 000 – R600 000), an oil painting on canvas.
Renowned Pierneef specialist Jan Middeljans confirmed this work can be seen behind Pierneef, as he sits in his studio in a photograph currently in the possession of Middeljan and soon to be released in a new publication. It is described as a “sought-after early work by South Africa’s most important landscape artist”.
Three lots by Laubser, an oil on board and two charcoal on paper works sees the artist in great demand.
Laubser’s still life with sheep (estimated at R280 000 – R320 000) explodes with expressionism, as one views sheep grazing in a vibrantly painted landscape.
Another highlight comes from Alexander, possibly South Africa’s most well-known surrealist painter, Detritus (estimated at R350 000 – R450 000) depicts one of Alexander’s iconic Namibian desert scenes.
Stern also appears at the auction, Still Life with Flowers and Paw Paws (estimated at R500 000 – R700 000), an oil on board with vibrant colours showing off the artist’s wonderful brush strokes and the expressive use of colour. Two still-life works by Welz, still life with bottle and flowers in a vase (estimated at R80 000 – R120 000) and still life with typewriter (estimated at R100 000 – R150 000) are both on offer.
Other artists represented on the sale include Edoardo Villa, Kenneth Bakker, David Botha, Freida Lock, Fred Page, Pranas Domsaitis and Lippy Lipshitz to name a few.
Viewing at the showroom will be from July 21-24 between 10am and 4pm.
View the online catalogue www.omni.co.za at