Rarities up for grabs

Preller’s Mother, estimated at R200 000-R400 000, is a rare early example of the artist’s work.

This will be the first Fine Art & Design Auction to take place at Stephan Welz & Co’s new premises in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton.

“The market for Preller is very strong at present,” says Imre Lamprecht, senior art specialist at Stephan Welz.

“Although the artist is known primarily for his recurring themes of Mapogga paintings, this is a beautiful and important addition for a serious Preller collector – and is likely to  create a bidding war.”

While Russian jeweller and silversmith Carl Fabergé has become synonymous with decorative eggs found in museums worldwide, he was also the creative talent behind exquisite jewellery and silver, like the Russian silver drink set to be sold at the auction.

Designed by Fabergé and assayed by A Romanov and – most likely – Lev Fridrikhovitch Oleks, this 84 standard 1889 and 1891 set is comprised of a decanter, highlighted with a bird, six vodka cups and a two-handled tray, flatchased with flowers, leaves and grapes. Weighing in at 1 215g of silver, the opulent set has an estimated value of R250 000-R500 000.

An unset round brilliant-cut 2.20ct diamond will also be auctioned.

The intense yellow-orange coloured gemstone, valued at R1 200 000-R2 400 000, is accompanied by a certificate from GIA, No 16914873, that states that the stone has not been treated and the colour is natural.

From the purely opulent to a slightly more practical beauty, a gentleman’s 18ct gold Perpetual Calendar Moonphase wristwatch by IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Perpetual, circa 2003, will also be auctioned. The watch has automatic jewelled movement; the circular white dial applied with gilt baton numerals with luminescent tips and hands, three
subsidiary dials for date, month and day, apertures for moonphase and year, centred seconds, tonneau-shaped water-resistant case and screw down crown, on an 18k gold IWC bracelet and concealed double deployant clasp.

The watch has an estimated value of R120 000-R240 000.

Other collectables include a signed Gallé glass cameo vase estimated at R50 000-R100 000, a first quarter 19th century Regency mahogany and brass-inlaid drum table with an estimate of R80 000-R160 000, and a rare mahogany and brass-bound secrétaire military chest from the late 19th century, estimated at R60 000-R120 000.

As one of the well-known South African Impressionists, Gregoire Boonzaier is a name known to most art collectors. In commemoration of his son, Anton, who died on April 8 this year, the auctioneer is highlighting four examples of Boonzaier’s work. According to art collector Fred Scott Anton’s passing is a great loss for the art world. “He was an authority on South African art, and especially all the old masters. He always helped when there were issues relating to works by his father.”