Placing a value on art

Placing a value on art

Writer Elaine Davie

Thrilling, electric, fascinating, enthralling – these are words that pepper the conversation of two women who between them have devoted almost 70 years of their lives to the business of selling fine art, antique furniture and other decorative arts on auction. Art consultant, Ann Palmer and Managing Director, Vanessa Phillips were members of the Strauss & Co team responsible for the company’s annual valuation day in Hermanus on Monday 25 January, a regular feature of the FynArts Festival.

For Vanessa this profession is a bit like show business: once you’ve experienced that adrenalin rush, you’re hooked for life. Both she and Ann started their careers with the late, legendary Stephan Welz and after he sold his original business and opened Strauss & Co in Cape Town in 2009, they made the move, too. One of the things they both enjoy is going on field trips to do valuations. It has to do with anticipation of the unexpected, never knowing what treasure might drop into their laps out of nowhere, like the Joshua Reynolds that recently emerged on one of their trips. It also gives them the opportunity of making personal contact with potential buyers and sellers.

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