Strauss & co - Review 2018

“Single-owner collections always attract considerable interest, both locally and from buyers abroad,” commented Vanessa Phillips, Strauss & Co’s joint managing director, after the sale. The top five lots by value included two items of furniture. In October, an 18th-century Cape stinkwood and yellowwood “koskas” sold for R352 780. A 19th-century mahogany breakfront bookcase smashed estimates when it sold for R272 832. Estimates are assigned based on historical achievement; they are predictive rather than immutable. The mahogany bookcase was not the only lot to exceed its estimate. Also inMarch, a small 19th-century Chinese jade carving in the form of a recumbent mythical beast sold for R193 256, over eight times the estimate and a pair of jade and gold cufflinks by London jeweller Andrew Grima made in 1971 sold for R85 260, six times over the estimate. In October, a William IV silver-gilt table snuff box by Charles Rawlings and William Summers, London, 1837 fetched R147 940, more than sixteen times the estimate. A late 17th century Japanese blue and white Arita VOC dish Sold R511 560, 5 March 2018 A Chinese blue and white vase, Transitional, Chongzhen period, 1628-1644 Sold R364 160, 15 October 2018 26