Find stylish works of art at online art auctions

Buying art from online art auctions is a convenient way to add flair and flair to a home, without breaking the bank.

Don’t skimp on art and collectibles

Are you spending big bucks on a brand new leather sofa or sleek kitchen appliance from a luxury home decor retailer, but settle for generic mass-produced prints on your wall? Whoa, big spender, keep that credit card. You may want to allocate more of your decorating budget to art and collectibles.

For R30,000, roughly the same price as a new three-seater leather sofa, you can pick up a selection of high-quality limited edition prints and original artwork at the auction. Strauss & Co online auction in June.

“The sale is aimed at all budgets, from entry-level works for novice art lovers to more expensive works by top-notch artists such as William Kentridge for more experienced collectors,” says Alastair Meredith, Senior Art Specialist at Strauss and Co. “When you buy works of art from a reputable auction house, you can rest assured that they have been verified by art specialists for their value and their provenance.

Over time, the sofa may lose value and the refrigerator warranty will expire, while a wise artistic investment will maintain or even increase its value. When you are planning to redecorate or move into a new property, you may feel that some of your artwork has grown too large. Unlike your other purchases, you don’t have to hawk it to online platforms or to your local pawnshop. (Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the sofa or the refrigerator.) Strauss & Co will help you resell the artwork at auction and get a fair price for the market.

It’s all a matter of taste

“When it comes to collecting and exhibiting art, it all depends on your own tastes and interests. There is no right or wrong when you buy art, Meredith points out. “Some of our clients collect only one artist, others are more interested in a particular period or style. Browse the online catalog to see what resonates with your tastes and your living space. Art gives you the opportunity to imprint your unique taste and identity in your home.

Gone are also the days when Kentridge had to match curtains – there’s no reason you couldn’t flaunt a bold contemporary abstract painting against a backdrop of floral wallpaper inspired by the Dutch Golden Age. Make a statement with a cobalt blue Ming Chinese porcelain plate by juxtaposing it with a limited edition Walter Battiss print in contrasting colors. Showcase pre-war artists alongside contemporary artists and non-figurative abstract works alongside more traditional still lifes. Many of Strauss & Co’s art specialists have organized thematic retrospectives and exhibitions and will offer advice on how to display your art in your home.

Take care of your investment

“Before you commit to buying an artwork, talk to one of Strauss & Co’s art specialists about the state of the artwork. A lithograph on paper from the 1920s will not necessarily be in perfect condition and may require a bit more care from the owner. The Strauss team will also advise you on the correct way to display the artwork – direct sunlight, for example, will wreak havoc on works on paper, especially watercolors with light-sensitive pigments. .

If you love art but hate the frame, don’t trust the local print shop that framed your kids’ eisteddfod certificates to handle the cropping.

“The fine arts require specialist framers who know how to protect and display your investment for years to come. The climate and region also play an important role in maintaining your investment – a bronze sculpture with a unique patina will require special care if its final destination is a KwaZulu-Natal coastal property, with humid conditions throughout. year, ”Meredith concludes.

The current Strauss & Co online auction which runs from May 31 to June 7, 2021 at 8 p.m. – you can see the lots: https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/details/7-jun- 2021

A Linnware vase, the baluster body enamelled in pale green and red tones, with red enamelled edge, 15cm high

R 2,000 – 3,000

William kentridge

SOUTH AFRICA 1955-

Iris

Signed and numbered 23/40 in pencil in the margin.

Engraving

Plate size: 20 by 14 cm; sheet size: 30 by 24 cm; 45 by 39 by 3.5cm, including the frame.

20,000 – 30,000 rubles

Walter Battiss

SOUTH AFRICAN 1906-1982

Nasturtium

Sign; inscribed with the artist’s name, title and dedication on a piece of cardboard glued to the back.

Watercolor on paper mounted on cardboard

17.5 by 16cm without frame; 36 by 34 by 3cm including the frame.

R 12,000 – 16,000

Sam Nhlengethwa

SOUTH AFRICA 1955-

Homage to Henri Matisse

Signed, dated ’14, numbered 33/50, inscribed with the title in pencil and in relief with the artists’ press mark in the margin.

Lithograph

Image size: 49.5 by 69 cm; sheet size: 57 by 76.5cm; 90.5 x 110 x 3.5 cm, frame included.

R 18,000 – 24,000