Visiting an auction for the very first time can be daunting and with viewing days transforming auction houses like Russell Kaplan Auctioneers into a veritable Aladdin’s cave of covetable items, deciding on what to bid on can become downright overwhelming.
Russell Kaplan Auctioneer’s latest art and antiques auction takes place on Saturday February 16 from 09:30. The showroom at 12 Allen Road, Bordeaux in Randburg is open for viewing ahead of the auction from February 13 – 15 (viewings on Wednesday February 13 from 09:30–19:00, Thursday February 14 and Friday February 15 from 09:30–16:30). The entire auction catalogue can also be viewed online at rkauctioneers.co.za
From designer antique furniture with a modern edge to prints by some of South Africa’s biggest artists, here are some of our must-haves from Russell Kaplan’s February 16 auction.
Paintings by Nelson Makamo
Recently featured on the cover of Times Magazine (read the story behind the painting featured on the cover of this February’s ‘Optimists’ issue here) , Limpopo-born artist Nelson Makamo’s artworks have found their way into the collections of a host of international celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Annie Lennox, Kelly Rowland, fashion mogul Giorgio Armani and director Ava DuVernay (who as guest editor chose his work to be featured on Time magazine’s cover).
Russell Kaplan’s February 16 Art and Antiques Auction features two paintings by Makamo – Own My Own and Before Sunset, each estimated at R25,000–R35,000. With Makamo’s star on the rise, this is a great investment opportunity to pick up some of the artist’s earlier works.
Estimate R25,000-R35,000
Estimate R25,000-R35,000
Modernist furniture masterpieces
Born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, French-Swiss architect, designer, urban planner, writer and painter Le Corbusier was a pioneer of the modernist movement. Together with his cousin Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret and furniture designer Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier created some of the most iconic furniture designs of the 20th Century, that were born from a principle of creating seating designs which reflect the human body.
Le Corbusier’s slick, modern and minimalist ergonomic pieces were first conceptualised in 1928 and remain as iconic as ever today and at the upcoming auction you can pick up some classic Le Corbusier-esque designs.
Estimate R6,000-R9,000
Estimate R7,000–R10,000
Tiaras, crowns and other unusual vintage jewellery
Russell Kaplan’s auction consignments always attract an interesting array of pretty, unusual and unique vintage jewellery items such as Victorian brooches, Edwardian cameos, Art Deco lockets and other sparkly things, making this the place to head to if you’re looking for statement jewellery that is one-of-a-kind.
Among our favourite treasures from Russell Kaplan’s February 16 auction are a tortoiseshell brooch inlaid with gold and silver (estimate R800-R1,200), a quirky sterling silver Candida water-carrier brooch (estimate R500-R800), an Edwardian silver gilt tiara (R2,500-R3,000) and a genuine Edwardian Earl’s coronet (R15,000-R25,000) for that bit of oh-so regal bling.
Estimate R500-R800
Estimate R2,500–R3,500
Linocut, woodcut and silkscreen prints by renowned South African artists
While art and antique auctions will always attract high-value paintings and larger artworks, there is also a huge selection of more affordable entry-level artworks to bid for. Look out for linocut, woodcut and silkscreen prints (often simply referred to or classified as prints), a great way to own works by your favourite artists’ without breaking the bank.
At the upcoming Russell Kaplan auction you can score printworks by renowned South African artists such as Walter Battiss, JH Pierneef and Lucky Sibiya as well as international names like Tracey Emin, Joan Miro and Salvador Dali.
Estimate R1,000-R2,000
Estimate R10,000-R15,000
Estimate R2,000-R3,000
Antique homeware
One of the most quintessentially collectable items, antique ceramics do not always equate fine china and cutlery that harkens back to the Victorian era, although you’ll easily find exquisite complete ranges of fine English china by famous names like Royal Doultan and Royal Albert on sale.
Homeware collectors should also keep on the lookout for gorgeous Art Deco tea sets and delicate Art Nouveau decorative items by iconic designers such as Rene Lalique and Lino Sabattini and the fantastically detailed and instantly recognisable contemporary ceramics by South Africa’s acclaimed Ardmore studio.
Estimate R5,000– R8,000
Estimate R3,000-R5,000
Estimate R3,000– R,5000
Estimate R700-R1,000