Two major auctions at Rudd's Auctioneers, Cape Town

A major morning auction of traditional African art should generate strong local and international interest from collectors and institutions, while collectors of antiques, fine and decorative art will be spoilt for choice at an auction that afternoon.

An extensive single-owner collection of visually stunning and symbolically significant traditional African tribal art will be auctioned in Cape Town on the morning of 7 November.

Rudd's Auctioneers will offer The Colin Sayers Collection, stock in trade from his premises The Collector in Church Street, Cape Town. The Collector is Cape Town's oldest established arts gallery dealing primarily in authentic traditional African art.

The 280 auction items, some dating back to the 19th century, originate from South Africa and throughout the African continent. They range from a pre-1960s Zulu woman's beaded marriage cape to stools, masks, figures, staffs, doors, iron bridal currency and more.

Some prime pieces include a superb and rare mid-20th century Sudanese Bongo funerary shrine figure with bead eyes. These particular figures were only known to The West in 1973 and similar figures can now be found in museums in London, Paris and New York. (Lot 260, estimate R60 000 to R70 000).

An early-20th century Kuyu headdress from the DRC, representing the serpent clan, a secret male society that played an important political role in the nomination of chiefs, is estimated at R30 000 to R40 000. (Lot 261.)

South African items include a late-19th century/early-20th century Tsonga prestige parade battle-axe (lot 142, R10 000 to R15 000) and a Tsonga/Zulu maternity staff (lot 121, R50 000 to R60 000).

Many of these items embody spiritual and cultural beliefs and the exercise of chiefly power. Several have been selected for curated exhibitions and mirror similar examples found in leading international institutions, such as the Rijk Ethnographic Museum in Amsterdam.

"These are not curios, they are fine examples of South African culture and the culture of the African continent," said auctioneer Charles Rudd. "It is time we saw some of South Africa's top companies invest in African art for their boardrooms, or selected pieces would suit an interior decorator working for a discerning homeowner, or a corporate commission such as a leading hotel creating an authentic African theme.

"Africans throughout the continent should be reclaiming their inheritance in the same way that the new wealth of China has created a huge interest in all things Chinese; they can be found actively bidding at auctions internationally."

This major auction of African tribal art will be followed by an afternoon Rudd's sale of over 240 lots of antiques, fine and decorative art.

Antiques, fine and decorative art auction

The 240 lots range from a rare 17th century pair of Chinese wine pourers, estimated at R60 000 to R80 000 (lot 379), to unusual one-off items such as a late-19th century/early-20th century oak and iron Portuguese ship captain's chair (lot 422, R2500 to R4500).

The extensive selection comprises silver, silver plate, jewellery and edged weapons; European works of art and collectables; Chinese and Japanese ceramics and works of art; clocks, a barometer, mirrors and carpets; more than 70 items of 18th-, 19th-, and early-20th century furniture; and European, Australian and South African art.

"Outstanding objects include 17th-century to 19th-century Chinese pieces in fine and rare condition," said auctioneer Charles Rudd.

"The auction also includes one of our best selections of English furniture. Items range from a George III mahogany display cabinet on chest (lot 435, estimated at R12 000 to R18 000) to an 18th-century Dutch Louis XV style mahogany armoire (lot 469, R40 000 to R60 000)."

Silverware includes two King's Pattern table flatware services, estimated at R20 000 to R30 000 each (lots 310 and 311).

Among the edged weapons, there is a rare Scottish Highland full-dress dirk (dagger) of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers, with a companion Scottish Highland skean-dhu (dagger) of the Transvaal 8th Infantry Scottish. The provenance is Lieutenant-Colonel WCR Hedding, Commander of the Transvaal Scottish 1943 to 46, and thence by descent. (Lot 325, R4000 to R6000).

A fine mid-19th century Russian icon, Moscow 1851, lot 368, is estimated to fetch R40 000 to R60 000, while three other icons (lots 365-367) are listed from R3000 to R4000 to R8000 to 12 000.

The European works of art and collectables include a set of three late-19th century De Grave & Co. brass measures, each inscribed Govt of Cape of Good Hope and dated 1895 (lot 354, R8000 to R12 000).

The auction starts at 1.30pm on Wednesday, 7 November, following the morning auction of The Colin Sayers Collection of African tribal art.

Public viewing: 1 to 2 November (9am to 4pm); 3 November (9am to 1pm); 5 November (9am to 4pm).
Location: 87 Bree Street, Cape Town
Catalogue: www.rudds.co.za
Contact: Charles Rudd of Rudd's Auctioneers at az.oc.sddur@ofni or +27 (0)21 426 0384 or +27 (0)83 406 4261.