Painted in 1952, Collected Images by Alexis Preller is a seminal piece by this highly regarded artist. Illustrated on the cover of Esme´ Berman and Karel Nel’s 2009 monograph of the same name, Collected Images depicts a cabinet with 18 compartments and is a resonant catalogue of the artist’s key metaphors.

“These paintings by Irma Stern and Alexis Preller represent some of the most important and historically significant works to appear in a South African saleroom in recent years,” said Bina Genovese, Strauss & Co’s joint managing director. “Works of this calibre rarely come to market and Strauss & Co is proud to be offering them to collectors.”

There is also a great deal of anticipation surrounding the sale of over two hundred pieces of Oriental porcelain and works of art from the Strong Collection. This important private collection includes snuff bottles, netsuke, jade and ceramics.
The Dr Johan Bolt Collection includes rare eighteenth-century examples of Cape furniture and copperware. The decorative arts catalogue also includes a striking presentation of contemporary furniture and design.

“All four collections on offer were painstakingly assembled and are distinguished by the passion and connoisseurship of their owners,” said Vanessa Phillips, Strauss & Co’s joint managing director. “Single-owner collections are a cornerstone of Strauss & Co’s business. Our ability to handle these collections is an important part of why Strauss & Co is the leading auction house in South Africa.”

The sale will take place on Monday 18 March at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town. Strauss & Co will host a preview of the sale from 15 to 17 March, between 10am and 5pm, which will include an extensive programme of public talks and social events in the lead-up to the sale, all open to the public.