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Strauss & Co Art Specialists Providing Free Valuations in Pretoria

27 Jan 2016

Strauss & Co holds regular valuation days around the country in the lead-up to its auctions, and is visiting Pretoria ahead of its auction of Important South African and International Art in Johannesburg on 23 May 2016.

Strauss & Co is the global leader in the South African art market and South Africa’s leading auction house and holds auction records for most major South African artists. Last year was Strauss & Co’s most successful year in its seven-year history, setting a new benchmark in sales and reaffirming the company’s position as market leader. Strauss & Co set 21 new artist records and achieved a sell-through rate by lot and value combined of 81,7%, the highest in the current market.

2015 ended with a number of remarkable record sales, most notably for works by two of Pretoria’s most famous 20th century artists, Anton van Wouw and Alexis Preller. A rare, early Van Wouw bronze, Mineworker with Hand Drill, sold for a record R4 774 560 in November, more than double the previous record set by Strauss & Co two years before. Two major works by Preller, The Creation of Adam I and Apollo Kouros II, also sold in November for R8 526 000 (the highest price ever achieved at auction for Preller in South Africa) and R5 456 640 respectively. Other artists’ records achieved last year include Penny Siopis, Cecily Sash and Ernest Mancoba, amongst others.

Sadly, the year also ended with the sudden and untimely death of one of Strauss & Co’s founding directors, Stephan Welz, on Christmas day after a short illness. Welz was South Africa’s most respected and experienced art auctioneer, unequalled in his depth of knowledge and understanding of the South African art market, artists and the world of auctions. Stephan is mourned by all at Strauss & Co. He personally assembled and mentored Strauss & Co’s team of art specialists to become the very best in the country. He equipped his successors with priceless knowledge and a unique ethos of integrity and professionalism. Strauss & Co will honour Welz’s colossal legacy and continue the work he carried out over a remarkable career spanning more than 40 years.

Strauss & Co experts will be available to view South African and international paintings and sculpture. To take advantage of our specialists’ in-depth knowledge and experience, and receive a free and confidential market-related valuation, see details below.

Details Valuation Day in Pretoria:

2 February 2016, 10am – 5pm
Pretoria Country Club
241 Sidney Street
Waterkloof

For an appointment, please contact Alastair Meredith on alastair@straussart.co.za or Jacqui Carney on jacqui@straussart.co.za, or call 011 728 8246.

Press enquiries:
Bina Genovese – bina@straussart.co.za / 083 680 9944