Strauss & co - 21 October 2013, Cape Town

14 The Eye of a Cape Collector The Dr Johan Bolt Cape Collection Born and raised in the then Transvaal, Dr Johan Bolt started his collection in 1980 with the purchase of a yellowwood wakis. Having grown up in a home surrounded by his mother’s collection of Cape and English furniture, it was not surprising that he developed an interest in starting a collection of his own. Like all true collectors, once the passion took hold of him, it was the beginning of a life-long quest for rarity and perfection. His interest in collecting extended beyond the confines of furniture to encompass Chinese blue and white porcelain, Cape brass and copperware and was further inspired by the vast collection of Africana belonging to the late Dr Hannes van Heerden, a family friend, of Klein Withoek near Brits. Strauss & Co was privileged to sell Dr van Heerden’s Cape silver collection in March 2011. Whilst the whole collection stands as a testament to Dr Bolt’s passion and commitment, particular attention must be paid to what he regards as one of his greatest acquisitions, the yellowwood and stinkwood inlaid cupboard (lot 37). The sophisticated decorative inlay reflects the skill of the Cape craftsmen working at the end of the 18th century. His fine collection of 18th century chairs represents some of the earliest documented examples and is complemented by the sober and restrained elements found in the two Cape rooiels, stinkwood and yellowwood cupboards, (lots 14 and 16). His collection of Cape copper and brass by recordedmakers represents the largest group to be offered at auction in the past decade. His interest in copper developed from being sent as a young boy to polish the large brandy still which stood outside the house as punishment for childishmisdeeds. The hours spent shining this piece would eventually lead to a passion for Cape copper that culminated in him paying the record price at auction for a Cape copper and brass kettle, by Frederik Johannes Staal (lot 48). ‘Comparisons are often made between the urge to collect and the urge to love. .. At one end of the spectrum are those whose approach is entirely detached and intellectual, at the other, those whose approach is purely sensual. Some collectors are most strongly moved by the spirit of inquiry and the desire to know, and like a work of art because it presents a problem to be solved; others want only the inexplicable quickening of the pulse that is caused by the contemplation of something appealing to them. Most collectors probably share something of both emotions. The true connection between collecting and loving is almost certainly the desire to possess. The desire is not always fulfilled but the excitement and the hope drive the collector on.’1 Like most collectors, Dr Bolt’s motivation for amassing such an array of fine pieces is complex. The excitement of the hunt for a particular piece has been enhanced by what he describes as ‘the absolute joy of living with beautiful pieces of functional art and, through them, becoming part of the cultural history of South Africa’.2 It is indeed a great honour for Strauss & Co to be offering the result of over three decades of diligent and passionate collecting. 1. Cumming, Robert (ed.) (1984) Christie’s Guide to Collecting, Oxford: Phaidon, Christie’s, page 11. 2. email from Riaan Bolt to Vanessa Phillips, 29 August 2013.