Auction House Profile
Strauss & Co
National · Founded 2008 · Johannesburg, South Africa
Strauss & Co is a South African auction house founded in 2008, known for modern and contemporary South African art and the wider African art market.
Fine art sales
1
Specialist sales
5
Founded
2008
Last sync
20 July, 06:23 am
Overview
Strauss & Co is South Africa’s leading fine art auction house, founded in 2008 by Dr Conrad Strauss, Elisabeth Bradley and veteran auctioneer Stephan Welz. The company's first auction was held in 2009, focusing on modern and contemporary South African art and decorative arts. Since its establishment, Strauss & Co has become the principal secondary-market auction house for South African art while expanding into broader African art, photography, design, jewellery, ceramics, furniture and fine wine. Beyond auctions, the company has developed a strong reputation for scholarship through exhibitions, lectures, publications and educational initiatives that promote the understanding of African art. Operating from Johannesburg and Cape Town, Strauss & Co serves collectors throughout South Africa and internationally through live, online and private sales.
Specialties & Departments
Specialties
Departments
Auction Calendar
GCR continuously monitors public auction calendars published by leading auction houses around the world. Upcoming fine art and collectable sales are presented first, followed by other public auctions conducted by the same institution.
Upcoming Fine Art Auctions
Specialist & Collectable Auctions (5)
Broader specialist, collectable, estate and mixed-category auctions that may include culturally significant material beyond the main fine art departments.
Saleroom
Locations
Johannesburg
South Africa
Headquarters and principal saleroom
Cape Town
South Africa
Saleroom and specialist offices
Nairobi
Kenya
Regional consignments and East African programme
Timeline
Strauss & Co is established by Dr Conrad Strauss, Elisabeth Bradley and veteran auctioneer Stephan Welz.
The first auction is held, devoted to modern and contemporary South African art and decorative arts.
The company conducts the notable Keerweder house sale.
Jane Alexander establishes a contemporary South African auction record, while Alexis Preller’s The Creation of Adam I sets a new benchmark for the artist.
Stephan Welz dies after helping establish Strauss & Co as South Africa’s leading auction house.
Strauss & Co curates a major J.H. Pierneef exhibition at the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg.
Standalone contemporary art auctions are introduced.
The company launches specialist fine wine auctions.
Virtual live auctions are introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, combining a live auctioneer with online participation.
The inaugural Art Auction East Africa is launched, expanding the company’s regional reach.
Strauss & Co expands its East African programme with Nairobi accepting consignments.
Auction Highlight
Irma Stern — Children Reading the Koran
One of the defining moments in Strauss & Co's history came in March 2023, when Irma Stern's Children Reading the Koran sold in Cape Town for R22.3 million. Painted during Stern's celebrated 1939 journey to Zanzibar, the work depicts children studying in a madrasa and reflects one of the artist's most important creative periods. The sale established a new auction record for any artwork sold on the African continent and reaffirmed Strauss & Co's position as the leading marketplace for South African modern art.
View the Strauss & Co lot ↗Market Notes
Sale formats
References
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