The iconic Die Ossewa Antiques in Melville Johannesburg has recently closed its doors for the last time. Die Ossewa was a landmark for antiques dealing for more than 50 years in Melville.
The antique store was first owned by Helen de Leeuw, who was a well-known Johannesburg socialite in the ’60s and ’70s.
Thereafter, it was known as The Cottage, which was owned by well-known dealer Manny Liebman, before former 1995 Rugby World Cup player Christiaan Scholtz bought it in 1997, naming it Die Ossewa Antiques.
Since then, the shop has won Leisure Options Best Antiques Shop in Johannesburg on four occasions.
“Generations of Melville residents, students and collectors remembers their first purchases over the years at this shop,” said Scholtz.
Scholtz has decided to pursue his antiques, art, and collectables auctioneering business further in Selby, Johannesburg.
His venture there [The Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers – https://bit.ly/1vjAmci] is located at 29 Village Road Selby. The shop has regular auctions with the same type of goods that were traded by Die Ossewa.
Scholtz said his main reason to close down Die Ossewa and put the property up for sale was to spend more quality time with his family.
“I don’t want to work weekends anymore. I really want to spend more quality time with my eight-year-old daughter.”
Viewings of the inventory will be held on 5 and 6 March from 10pm to 4pm, and from 8am to 1pm on 7 March.
The entire inventory from the front door to the back door will be auctioned off without reserve on 7 March at 10am, and the remainder on 8 March at 10am.
The auction itself will be held on the shop premises at 1, 8th Ave, Melville, on the corner of Main Road.
There will be almost a thousand items on this auction from 18th century Dutch and French armoires to art, silver, porcelain, jewellery and Africana.
Some old Volkswagen Kombis, a Beetle and a Haflinger Austrian military vehicle will also be auctioned.
“This auction should not be missed; it might be your last chance to own a bit of Melville history,” said Scholtz.
