Art collections are increasingly significant assets within private estates and portfolios, as well as important assets for corporates.

Strauss & Co, Africa’s leading auction house, has for many years offered art advisory support for
estate planners. Moreover, they also supported leading South African companies.

This support ranges from guiding clients in strategically building and managing an art collection.

Furthermore, it provides support in key acquisitions at auction, offers professional valuations for estate and insurance purposes, and advises on stewardship involving future generations.

Drawing on decades of experience managing blue-chip private collections and estates, Strauss & Co has an established track record.

Specifically, they provide discrete advice to emerging and established collectors.

With its well of specialist knowledge, both in-house and within its partner network, Strauss & Co. also offers bespoke white-label services.

These extend from the assessment of existing collections to the identification of strategic
collecting goals.

In addition, they include the diversification of holdings across artists, eras and geographies.

In addition to these services, the company has a network of experts skilled in environmental and conservation issues.

Their expertise also covers insurance guidance and emergency planning involving loss and damage.

Specialist expertise in managing and selling private collections

Strauss & Co continues to demonstrate its specialist expertise in the stewardship and sale of important single-owner collections.

In the first quarter of 2026, the company achieved excellent results at auction for private individuals and families. These clients were looking to tactfully dispose of large collections.

In February, Portway to Cohen: A Collector’s Legacy and Other Properties was a sale of 73 lots from an esteemed private collector.

It offered a focused survey of modern and contemporary South African art and realised R4.2 million / $261 115. Moreover, 81% of the lots offered were sold.

In March, Generations of Collecting: An Important Collection of Cape Silver, Oriental Ceramics, Furniture and Art was a two-part sale.

It was composed of diverse collectables acquired by three generations of a single family.

This sale attracted bidders from 29 countries and ultimately earned R12.6 million / $740 000 from 242 lots sold. Notably, the sale had an 89% lot sell-through rate.

Successful single-owner sales highlight market demand

Strauss & Co’s traditional autumn programme in Johannesburg was bookended by two single-owner sales. These reflected the distinct collecting interests of Durban arts patron Dr Vera Dubin.

Furthermore, they showed the interests of legendary auctioneer, founder and managing director of Strauss & Co., Stephan Welz, and his wife, Carmen Welz.

The two-part sale Deep Roots: Selected Works from Stephan and Carmen Welz featured modern and contemporary art.

It also included Cape furniture, ceramics and a library of books, selling at an 87.5% sell-through rate and a total of R2.7 million.

Meanwhile, 100 Years: Lalique, Silver and Art from the Collection of Vera Dubin comprised Lalique glass, finely worked silver and art. This sale earned R1.4 million from 84 lots, with an 80% sell-through rate.

Strong momentum continues into the second half of 2026

Heading into the second half of 2026, there is a definite sustained mood of optimism among collectors.

This confidence drove strong results for modern and contemporary art at Strauss & Co’s flagship Johannesburg auction on 26 May 2026.

At this event, record prices were achieved for important paintings by Penny Siopis and Gerard Sekoto. The combined day and evening art sales earned R49 524 342.