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www.thevillagenews.co.za
10 February 2021
Placing a value on art Writer Elaine Davie
T
hrilling, electric, fascinating, enthralling – these are words that pepper the conversation of two women who between them have devoted almost 70 years of their lives to the business of selling fine art, antique furniture and other decorative arts on auction. Art consultant, Ann Palmer and Managing Director, Vanessa Phillips were members of the Strauss & Co team responsible for the company’s annual valuation day in Hermanus on Monday 25 January, a regular feature of the FynArts Festival. For Vanessa this profession is a bit like show business: once you’ve experienced that adrenalin rush, you’re hooked for life. Both she and Ann started their careers with the late, legendary Stephan Welz and after he sold his original business and opened Strauss & Co in Cape Town in 2009, they made the move, too. One of the things they both enjoy is going on field trips to do valuations. It has to do with anticipation of the unexpected, never knowing what treasure might drop into their laps out of nowhere, like the Joshua Reynolds that recently emerged on one of their trips. It also gives them the opportunity of making personal contact with potential buyers and sellers. Of course the entire business has undergone a sea change since the start of lockdown and personal contact is one of the elements that has largely fallen by the wayside. “In March 2020, we were about to run one of our four big annual auctions – two in Cape Town and two in Johannesburg – when lockdown was announced, so we postponed it to May,” says Ann, “little realising that this would signal the beginning of a whole new way of doing things. In fact, if the business were to survive, we would have to change our entire modus operandi, and
quickly.” Going totally digital took some getting used to, but any wrinkles there might have been at the start have been straightened out. In the pandemic-affected economy world-wide, there may have been something of a tick down in prices in general, but the wider reach has made up for it. “Our client base has increased out of all recognition,” explains Ann. We have bids coming in from all over the world now, not just Europe and the UK, but from America to China and Australia. Interestingly, the indigenous art that was lost to China during Mao’s Cultural Revolution is now being bought back.” Vanessa agrees that oriental decorative art and artefacts are in great demand these days. African art is of great interest, too, and some of South Africa’s top artists like Irma Stern, Maggie Laubser, William Kentridge, Gustav Preller, Pierneef and Gregoire Boonzaaier are still fetching top prices. In fact, last year the purchase price for a sculpture by Sydney Kumalo achieved a global record of R1 820 800. What excites both Ann and Vanessa is that the average age of purchasers has dropped to the 35 – 40 age group from around 60. “The thing is, they’re very comfortable with the technology and many of them are relatively well-informed about their field of interest, although generally, they just tend to buy what they like,” comments Vanessa. They engage in the zoom talks we organise and come at things with new eyes, which is thrilling to observe. Scandinavian furniture of the mid-20th century is very popular amongst this age group. “Although they can’t touch the lots or see them physically displayed on the sale room floor, we do a virtual tour of each item, showing it from every conceivable angle, and in the catalogue, we list any blemishes or defects there may be. Of course, as a company we have always prided ourselves not only in our expertise, but also in being totally transparent, and prospective
buyers feel they can trust us.” All of their four main yearly auctions are now conducted in real-time with an auctioneer, and streamed live on the internet over a period of four days. Three comprehensive catalogues, including one for wine, are produced for each sale and are available on the website. In addition, throughout the year online auctions are proving to be very popular. Held over the period of a week, they sometimes include between 400 and 500 lots, offering a platform for mainly lower-value items.
Some of South Africa’s top artists like Pierneef (above) and Irma Stern (below) are still fetching top prices at art auctions. In fact, last year the purchase price for a sculpture by Sydney Kumalo (left) achieved a global record of R1 820 800.
Ann hates it when art is bought solely as an investment or to follow a trend. “You should be guided by your taste and because the work speaks to your heart,” she says. “I do have to say, though, that provenance adds value to a piece. Knowing how and when it came into the seller’s possession, especially if he or she is a member of Royalty or a celebrity, does give it that extra credibility.” She admits that she misses the hype that used to surround live sales, the pre-sale talk-up viewings for hallowed clients at the Vineyard Hotel, and then the electric buzz on the day of the sale, with buyers bidding against each other with heightened urgency and excitement. “I remember one sale at the Johannesburg Country Club, for instance. There were two people bidding against each other, higher and higher. The tension in the room was extreme. When the lot was finally knocked down to the one young bidder, she leapt from her chair with a shout of sheer jubilation. That’s what gives one the rush.”
Vanessa agrees, but says that online auctions can often still deliver the same excitement. “People hold back until the last minute and then in the final hour it’s high drama, with competing bids coming in fast and furious until the very last minute. What can I say, I’m a junkie.” The Strauss & Co teams in both Cape Town and Johannesburg are happy to carry out valuations free of charge. Visit their website (www.straussart.co.za) for guidelines and information about upcoming auctions.
