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South African Art @ Christie's London

Andries Loots
 30 September 2001 

Christie's London had their annual Travel & Exploration sale on the 26 and 28 September 2001 at their rooms -  8 King Street,  St. James,  London.

Sales results are disappointing - only 6 of the 14 Lots comprising  South African Art were sold. Prices were all lower than the highest estimate with the majority of works selling only marginally higher than the lower estimate.

When exploring the reasons for this poor performance the following factors influencing prices emerged:
  • South African Art, especially work from the previous era is only since 1994 emerging onto the International market after South Africa's relative global isolation. 
  • Demand for these works is still driven by South African buyers reluctant to pay high prices in Pounds due to the poor exchange rates and the high expenses incurred when importing these works back into the country.
  • Tremendous current worldwide pressure on these emerging markets.
  • In contrast to South American art, few international exhibitions or other exposure and publications make South African art relatively unknown internationally resulting in lower demand. 
Sales Results :
Prices quoted include commission.
Lot 40
THOMAS BOWLER, Watercolour heightened with white, 24,1 x 39,2cm
 Estimate: £ 5 000-7 000
Sold For £ 5 640  		Lot 42
THOMAS BAINES, oil on canvas, 
45,7 x 63,5cm
 Estimate: £ 20 000-30 000
Sold for £ 21 150
Lot 532
JACOB HENDRIK PIERNEEF, oil on board, 45,7 x 60,9cm
Estimate:£ 6 000-8 000
Sold for £ 6 815 		 Lot 534
JAN ERNST VOLSCHENK, oil on canvas, 54 x 91,4cm
Estimate: £ 2 500-3 500
£ 2 585 

Lot 535
JACOB HENDRIK PIERNEEF,  oil on canvas, 
29,8 x 40,7cm
Estimate:£ 2 000-3 000
Sold for £ 2 350 

Lot 537
IRMA STERN,  gouache and coloured chalks,
 26,5 x 36,5cm
 Estimate: £2 000-3 000
Sold for £ 2 937

Works not sold :
Lot 41 Thomas Baines  est. £ 15 000 - 20 000
Lot 467 Thomas Bowler est.£ 1 500 - 2 500
Lot 533 Irma Stern est.£ 20 000 - 30 000
Lot 536 J.H.Pierneef  est.£ 5 000 - 7 000
Lot 538 Maggie Laubser est.£ 5 000 - 7 000
Lot 539 Gerard Bhengu est.£ 300 - 400
Lot 540 Christo Coetzee est.£ 600 - 800
Lot 541 Maurice Van Essche est.£ 1 000 - 1 500
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