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Decorative Arts online sale offers a nostalgic glimpse into the past

22 Aug 2022

The sale offers collectors an interesting selection of Cape Country furniture and objects, silver, ceramics and jewellery.

“Included in the sale is a session titled “Cape Country Collection: 40 years of collecting” and features pieces from a single Eastern Cape collector,” says Vanessa Phillips

“Most of the pieces in the collection are all functional objects – the collector favoured homely, provincial furniture and utilitarian objects that were used daily by their owners. It offers us a nostalgic glimpse into another era – many might have been encountered in a grandparent or even parent’s home, depending on your age.” 

The collection includes objects such as an early mandolin, an eggstand, butterchurns, a wagon-jack and “voetstofies” or footwarmers – little cases that warmed the cold feet of past generations.

“One of the noteworthy pieces in this session is a 19th-century Cape teak, wit-els and steel wheelbarrow (est. R 6 000 – 8 000). This handmade wheelbarrow was probably an early commission with the carpenter putting incredible effort into its design, workmanship, and functionality. It has a lattice back to lean plants against and a flat platform, so your plants do not fall over. During our assessment we also proclaimed it in full working order,”  says Phillips.

Another interesting item up for sale is a teak metal-bound ‘Shakespearian’ butter churn, from the Hathaway Maker family firm in Chippenham, England. (est. R 4 000 – 6000). The British company made thousands of butter churns and large numbers of their products were exported overseas, in particular to South Africa and South America. 

In a second session, Strauss and Co are offering a single-owner collection of pieces assembled by a Dutch Collector. “Two standout pieces from this session are a beautiful early 19th century Dutch walnut and marquetry display cabinet (est. R 20 000 – 30 000), and a 20^th century oak hanging wall cabinet. (est R 4 000 – 6 000).”

The session also features a small collection of silver Dutch “dragée boxes” which are fine pieces and architectural in their appearance, inspired by furniture and Dutch houses. “These pocket-sized boxes were often inscribed with love mottos. The sweets that were stored inside were known as kissing comfits – they were little perfumed lozenges that sweetened your breath – as dentistry wasn’t particularly well developed in the 18^th and 19th centuries,” she remarks.

“There are interesting lots of silver that span 250 years of craftsmanship – from George II right through to Elizabeth II,” she adds. 

If you’re planning on proposing, planning a wedding, or shopping for a gift for a special occasion there are also some exceptional pieces of jewellery on auction. One of the notable pieces is a bezel-set single stone round brilliant-cut diamond and 18ct gold ring, (est R25 000 – 30 000) as well as two 1973 18ct gold bands from South African goldsmith and designer of distinction, Peter Cullman.

Included are strings of pearls, a standout example being a two-strand baroque pearl necklace (R 8 000 – 10 000) and a watch from luxury Swiss producer, Ebel. 

Strauss& Co’s August online-only auctions presented by its decorative arts, wine, and art departments all open for bidding on Monday, 22 August at 8.00 am.

Browse the sale and register to bid: www.straussart.co.za