The Diamond Edition
Luxury solitaires and fine jewels will be unveiled in the Diamond Edition auctions. There will be an online Day Sale from May 17-27, 2024 and then a live virtual Evening Sale on May 27, 2024. Diamonds will be the focus, but there will be variety on offer such as earrings gemstone pieces, ornate brooches, and bold gold dress rings. Covering 105 lots of carefully selected unique and exquisite jewellery, renowned brands such as Cartier, Bvlgari, Boucheron and Tiffany & Co. will be represented.
“Embracing the timeless allure of diamonds, the auction subtly celebrates the sentiment that diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend in a way that exudes sophistication and grace,” says Strauss & Co jewellery specialist Kim Goeller.
“Elegance meets opulence with large, diamond rings, including a vivid yellow solitaire. We have a rare contrasting sapphire and emerald fan earrings, accented with small round diamonds. The sapphires are set in 18k white gold and the emeralds in yellow gold. Handmade and one of a kind, this is luxury jewellery at its finest.”
Yellow gold is a perennial bestseller and is once again featured through chunky dress rings, neckpieces, and bangles. “One particular bangle with an unusual design incorporating serpent detail on the upper surface is so much more than jewellery; it’s a standalone piece of art,” says Goeller.
Brooches are the ultimate comeback accessory stealing the show on the runways and this auction offers a strong selection of delicately crafted examples often inspired by natural elements.
Showstoppers from the evening sale and online day sale include an 18k yellow gold vivid fancy yellow diamond ring, claw-set to centre, comprising a round brilliant-cut yellow diamond solitaire weighing approximately 3.74 ct with gently tapering shank; a 17k yellow gold and diamond brooch; stylised spray design set with nine round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.35ct; and a Tiffany & Co. diamond-encrusted wristwatch accented with 83 old-cut diamonds, round brilliant-cut diamonds and 6 baguette-cut diamonds; total weight 18.8 grams. Other highlights include a tourmaline double finger ring and a yellow gold flower bracelet.
MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART SALES
Leading the 85-lot catalogue for the premier Evening Sale, which commences at 7pm, is Irma Stern’s paradisiacal 1930 portrait of a seated young woman, Cape Girl with Fruit (estimate on request). Made during a period of frequent travel across Southern Africa and regular exhibiting in Europe, this important, large-scale work records the early beginnings of Stern’s celebrated and sensual mature style.
Paradise also looms large as theme in Alexis Preller’s sun-drenched beach scene, Fisherman Mending Nets, Beau Vallon (estimate R3 – 4 million / $162 780 – 217 040), from his important visit to the Seychelles in 1949. Preller, who is currently the subject of a career retrospective at Norval Foundation in Cape Town, has two works in the evening session. Stern has five, including Still Life with Amaryllis (estimate R5 – 7 million / $271 455 – 380 040), which was painted during a pause in her epic run representing South Africa at four editions of the Venice Biennale (in 1950, 52, 54 and 58).
As always, painting features strongly in both the online Day Sale and the live-virtual Evening Sale, with notable works by Walter Battiss, Peter Clarke, Robert Hodgins, Maggie Laubser, Nelson Makamo and John Meyer. The estimate for Vladimir Tretchikoff’sstriking Chrysanthemums in a Vase (estimate R1.2 – 1.6 million / $65 090 – 86 785) reflects his evergreen status at auction. George Pemba and Gerard Sekoto, who are currently enjoying premier billing at the Venice Biennale, have three and five works apiece in the Evening Sale. Pemba’s 1989 portrait, Author and Artist (estimate R200 000 – 300 000 / $10 865 – 16 300), depicts author Alan Paton. Sekoto’s works are dated 1960 to 1975, and include Mother and Child (estimate R 400 000 – 600 000 / 21 730 – 32 595) from 1971.
Sculpture is not overlooked. The evening session includes an important Nisini foundry casting of Anton van Wouw’s bronze Slegte Nuus (estimate R3 – 4 million / $162 780 – 217 040). Contemporary sculptor Dylan Lewis has three works in the Evening Sale. The online-only Day Sale is especially strong on sculpture and includes bronzes by Deborah Bell, Andries Botha, Guy du Toit and Herman van Nazareth. Goat Girls (estimate R150 000 – 200 000 / $8 150 – 10 865) is a collaborative work by Diane Victor and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren from their Scapegoat Series. The catalogue also includes painted wood pieces by Norman Catherine and an early work by Gerhard Marx.
Browsing links
The Diamond Edition Evening Sale
To book an appointment to view please contact:
tatiana@straussart.co.za | 011 728 8246 OR kim@straussart.co.za
For more information: www.straussart.co.za
