Strauss & co - 2016 Review

Decorative arts proves a consistent performer Strong sales of decorative arts throughout 2016 greatly contributed to Strauss & Co’s bumper earnings. This trend was heralded in March when treasures formerly part of the historic Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West went on sale in Cape Town. The history of Vergelegen encompasses the biographies of Lady Florence and Sir Lionel Phillips, as well as businessman Punch Barlow and his wife Cynthia. Highlights from the sale included an 18th-century Cape stinkwood, satinwood and silver-mounted armoire, which sold for R682 080, and pair of Cape Neo-Classical stinkwood, yellowwood, amboyna-veneered and inlaid side tables, which fetched R704 816. The Vergelegen pieces brought in a total of close on R2.4 million. A single-owner collection of fine Cape silver achieved over R1.1 million with a 100% sell-through rate. At Strauss & Co’s October sale in Cape Town, a century-old twelve-light Tiffany Studios Lily floor lamp sold for R500 192, tripling its pre-sale estimate. An amethyst and gold fringe necklace designed by Tretchikoff for his wife Nathalie, sold for R159 152, unexpectedly doubling the pre-sale high estimate. Four lots of mid-twentieth century stoneware vases by Hans Coper and Dame Lucie Rie realised a collective value of R1 682 464. Twelve lots of rare Cape silver realised R661 792. “The decorative arts significantly contribute to our overall offering,” said Strauss & Co’s joint managing director, Vanessa Phillips, who is a specialist in furniture, silver and glass. “But this sale was quite extraordinary. Buyer enthusiasm for our quality offerings was visible across the board.” Of note, there was great joy when jewellery, silver and furniture pieces from the Estate of Liselotte Hardebeck sold for a collective sum of R1 104 245 at Strauss & Co’s October sale. Proceeds from this sale went to Umamawothando, a philanthropic trust established by Hardebeck in 2009 for the advancement of post-graduate study for previously disadvantaged learners. Vanessa Phillips Joint Managing Director, Senior Specialist Furniture, Silver, Ceramics, Glass and Jewellery 48