In a slow and unresponsive market, amid tight economic conditions generally in South Africa, Aspire Art Auctions made impressive statements and set several world records.
Two rare works by Irma Stern achieved sparkling results. The top lot by value: Still life with magnolias, apples and bowl (1949), fetched R6 828 000, the highest price achieved for a work by Stern for over a year. Another significant still life, Still life with chrysanthemums in the artist’s handmade ceramic jug, from 1950, sold for R3 414 000.
A significant, world record was achieved for Peter Clarke – R1 479 400 for Lazy Day, an acrylic and gouache on paper from 1975, and records were also set for contemporary artists, Zander Blom and Paul Stopforth.
Lot 2 - Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef (South Africa 1886-1957)
Sold for R34,140
Lot 3 - Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef (South Africa 1886-1957)
Sold for R31,864
Lot 7 - Walter Whall Battiss (South Africa 1906-1982)
Sold for R119,490
Lot 8 - Maurice van Essche (Belgium/South Africa 1906-1977)
Sold for R170,700
Lot 21 - Alexis Preller (South Africa 1911-1975)
Sold for R796,600
Lot 31 - Edoardo Villa (South Africa 1915-2011)
Sold for R1,138,000
Lot 33 - Irma Stern (South Africa 1894-1966)
Sold for R3,414,000
Lot 35 - Alexis Preller (South Africa 1911-1975)
Sold for R1,046,960
Lot 38 - Edoardo Villa (Italy/South Africa 1915-2011)
Sold for R170,700
Lot 41 - Irma Stern, (South Africa 1894–1966)
Sold for R6,828,000
Lot 44 - Walter Whall Battiss (South Africa 1906-1982)
Sold for R250,360
Lot 47 - Edoardo Villa (Itly/South Africa 1915-2011)
Sold for R227,600
Lot 48 - Andrzej Urbanski, b.1983 Poland , A0037 47/47/16
Sold for R125,180