Art experts find a gem in Selborne

Art specialists from fine art auctioneering company Strauss & Co, who are on a treasure hunting roadshow of the Eastern Cape, were thrilled to discover a sought-after oil painting in a Selborne home this week.

The experts, who specialise in South African paintings and sculptures, silverware, Chinese porcelain and furniture, set up a one-day valuation centre at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery on Monday and appraised dozens of beautiful artefacts.

By the end of the day the most valuable of these was a striking Walter Battiss painting valued at between R30000 and R50000 which they took into consignment.

It will go under the hammer in Cape Town on October 10.

“Then the last person to come in after closing showed us some pictures of her art collection on her phone,” said art specialist Kirsty Colledge. “We saw a vibrant Maggie Laubser and asked if we could go and have a look at it. It is a really beautiful oil abstract with lovely fresh colours.”

Colledge said the owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, had bought the painting, named Figure and Bird Composition, directly from Laubser.

“She agreed that we include it in our consignment and we were so happy and very excited because it is fresh to the market and never been seen on auction.”