Discover Strauss & Co’s September Auction Week with curated sales of South African art, photography, and mid-century design
As the vibrant hues of spring replace the recent winter gloom, Strauss & Co is set to captivate the art world with its highly anticipated September Auction Week. Running from 16 to 18 September 2024, this series of five expertly curated auctions will feature a rich selection of modern and contemporary art, photography, furniture, design, and ceramics. Highlights include a unique live-virtual auction of early works by the celebrated artist-potter Hylton Nel, and Strauss & Co’s inaugural stand-alone photography sale.
“Our September Auction Week is a celebration of contemporary art’s diverse expressions,” says Bina Genovese, Managing Executive at Strauss & Co. “The offerings are as varied as they are significant, ranging from the magnificent colourist paintings of Misheck Masamvu and Simphiwe Ndzube to the emotive portrait photography of Pieter Hugo and Zanele Muholi. We’re particularly excited to showcase delightful ceramic works by Hylton Nel and Nico Masemola, alongside striking tapestries by Athi Patra-Ruga.”
Bina further notes, “In keeping with our tradition of managing significant single-owner collections, this auction week will feature important photographic works from the esteemed collections of immigration lawyer Gary Eisenberg and legendary art dealer Linda Givon. Additionally, we’re proud to present a selection of South African vintage prints from the Photographic Archival and Preservation Association (PAPA) Collection.”
A captivating image by Mikhael Subotzky, highlighting the gritty realism and social dynamics of contemporary South African life. 
A poignant portrait by David Goldblatt, capturing the profound dignity and resilience of South Africa’s forgotten communities. 
Vladimir Tretchikoff’s iconic Balinese Girl, a masterpiece of mid-20th-century portraiture, blending exoticism with a haunting sense of mystery. 
Billy Monk’s evocative photograph offers a raw glimpse into the vibrant, and sometimes seedy, nightlife of 1960s Cape Town. 
Pieter Hugo’s work starkly portrays the intersection of nature, death, and the harsh realities of rural life. 
Esther Mahlangu’s colourful depiction of Ndebele culture showcases her mastery in combining traditional motifs with modern artistic expression. 
A charming ceramic piece by Hylton Nel, showcasing his signature playful and narrative-driven style. 
These endearing cat sculptures by Hylton Nel reflect his unique ability to blend humour with craftsmanship. 
The Weeping Cat by Hylton Nel, an iconic piece that captures both the tenderness and sorrow inherent in his work. 
H Pierneef’s landscape evokes the tranquil beauty of South Africa’s natural scenery, with his signature use of delicate colour and form.
The auction week includes three live-virtual auctions and two online-only sales, offering collectors a range of opportunities to acquire exceptional pieces. The live events kick off with A World in Clay: Hylton Nel’s Ceramic Studio, a 49-lot sale on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, at 5 pm. This sale features some of Nel’s most iconic works, including the celebrated Weeping Cat (estimated R80,000 – R120,000), which recently gained international attention at Dior’s 2025 men’s summer show in Paris, and the charming Cats on Yellow Bases from 2001 (estimated R150,000 – R200,000).
Following this, at 7 pm on the same day, the Evening Sale of Modern and Contemporary Art promises to be a showstopper. This auction is headlined by Vladimir Tretchikoff’s iconic Balinese Girl (estimated R5 – R7 million) and J H Pierneef’s breathtaking depiction of the Levubu River (estimated R2.2 – R2.8 million). The catalogue also features masterpieces by Peter Clarke, Maggie Laubser, George Pemba, and Irma Stern, along with contemporary works by artists such as Gerald Machona, Esther Mahlangu, and Brett Seiler.
Pieter Hugo’s striking photograph captures the unique and powerful bond between man and beast, set against the stark backdrop of rural Africa. 
Gerard Sekoto’s Pondo Woman with Pipe offers a soulful portrayal of resilience and cultural pride in South African society. 
Irma Stern’s Portrait of a Lady is a masterful expression of feminine grace and introspection, rendered in her signature emotive style. 
Robin Rhode’s dynamic sequence of images blends art and performance, illustrating the fluidity and creativity of contemporary South African art. 
Hylton Nel’s Venus and Sebastian figurines are a delightful example of his unique ability to infuse ceramics with storytelling and humour. 
Viviane Sassen’s surreal photograph explores the boundaries between reality and dream, with striking imagery and evocative composition. 
Youssef Nabil’s intimate portrait of a man at rest captures a serene moment, blending elements of nostalgia with soft, cinematic lighting.
On Wednesday, 18 September 2024, at 7 pm, Strauss & Co will host its first stand-alone photography auction, Ways of Seeing: South African and International Photography. This sale features notable works from The Linda Givon Collection, including two black-and-white portraits by David Goldblatt (estimated R150,000 – R240,000) and an early sticky-tape transfer by Mikhael Subotzky (estimated R40,000 – R60,000). The Gary Eisenberg Collection offers significant pieces by internationally acclaimed photographers, including Roger Ballen, Sebastião Salgado, and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Bookending the week are two online-only sales. The Day Sale of Modern and Contemporary Art features a selection of ceramic pieces by John Nowes and Nico Masemola, opening on Monday, 9 September and concluding on 16 September 2024. Meanwhile, the Mid-Century Modern Sale, a curated collection of furniture, glassware, ceramics, and jewellery, showcases works spanning from 1906 to the present. This sale includes standout pieces by mid-century design icons such as Jakob Berg and Charlotte Perriand, as well as contemporary creators like Laurie Wiid van Heerden. The online auction wraps up on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.
