PAST AUCTIONS

ONLINE AUCTION

4 - 18 September 2025

The Timlin Collection of paintings, watercolours, works on paper, and editioned prints by William Mitcheson Timlin was assembled by the artist’s brother, Clifford Timlin, also the architect of the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley, Northern Cape. Comprising 62 outstanding original works, the collection captures the remarkable breadth of Timlin’s imaginative output.

The collection later passed to Clifford’s daughter-in-law and grandchildren, before being offered to the market in 1987, when De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited acquired it and placed it on long-term loan to the William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG). For nearly four decades, the Timlin Collection, together with WHAG’s own holdings, represented the largest public collection of the artist’s work in South Africa.

Now, Aspire Art is delighted to present Enchanted Worlds: The Timlin Collection in its original entirety. Having remained under WHAG’s custodianship for almost forty years, the release of this collection by De Beers opens a rare opportunity for collectors worldwide to encounter and acquire these extraordinary artworks.

A British-born architect, illustrator and artist, William Mitcheson Timlin (1892–1943) made Kimberley his permanent home in 1912, at the age of twenty. He quickly became a central figure in the city’s cultural life – as a Founder Member of the Art Section of the Kimberley Athenaeum, a pioneering organisation that laid the groundwork for a permanent art gallery, and as a respected member of Kimberley’s architectural fraternity. Beyond these roles, he firmly established himself as a uniquely imaginative artist.

Timlin is best known for The Ship that Sailed to Mars (1923), the extraordinary fantasy book he both wrote and illustrated, and which today is considered a classic of early 20th-century fantastical illustration.

Alongside his architectural career, he produced enchanting paintings, watercolours, drawings and etchings that reveal his fascination with dreamlike realms. Often populated with ethereal figures, fantastical cities and otherworldly landscapes, his works reveal a mastery of delicate line and luminous colour, blended in a distinctive creative vision of architectural precision and whimsical fantasy.

ONLINE AUCTION

4 - 18 September 2025

Step into the legacy of the Humphreys Collection and discover its rare treasures, from historical paintings to antique furniture, sculpture and objets d’art.

William Benbow Humphreys (1889–1965) was a Kimberley statesman, businessman and devoted patron of the arts, whose passion for collecting laid the foundation of one of South Africa’s most significant regional museums.

A keen traveller with a discerning eye, Humphreys acquired paintings, sculpture, furniture and objets d’art on frequent “picture-hunting” trips to Europe. His taste was classic yet eclectic, with a particular affinity for 17th-century Dutch and Flemish painting, complemented by British and French works of the same period. These he housed in a purpose-built gallery at his residence, Benbow Lodge.

Humphreys believed that art and beauty should not be a private luxury but a shared cultural treasure. In 1948, he made a landmark bequest, gifting a large portion of his collection to the people of Kimberley and the Northern Cape (then entrusted to the Northern Cape Technical College), on condition that a public gallery be established. He also pledged funds towards its construction.

The works and items chosen for this initial donation—selected by Dr Anton Hendricks, then Director of the Johannesburg Art Gallery—included Old Master European and British paintings, antique furniture, contemporary copies of classical sculpture, and other works of art.

In 1952, the William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) was officially opened in Kimberley by Harry Oppenheimer, with the Humphreys Bequest forming the core of its holdings. Over subsequent decades, the collection was augmented by 20th-century South African artworks and objects, as well as further loans from Humphreys’ personal holdings, establishing the Humphreys Collection as a richly diverse assembly of works, showcasing a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural traditions.

This legacy was safeguarded and strengthened in 1971, when De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd generously acquired the Humphreys Collection and placed it on long-term loan to the Gallery, ensuring that the works remained in Kimberley for over half a century.

Following the cessation of the long term loan arrangement with the WHAG  and in an historic transition De Beers is releasing the Humphreys Collection, entrusting the works of art, antique objects and furniture that were central to this historical legacy to a new generation of discerning collectors.

The Humphreys Collection, with its distinguished provenance and exceptional breadth, carries the gravitas of both local history and international collecting traditions, standing as one of South Africa’s most remarkable stories of generosity, vision, and cultural stewardship.

LIVE AUCTION IN JOHANNESBURG

Tonight 17 September 2025 at 7 PM (SAST)

The Spring Evening Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art is taking place tonight in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 at 7 p.m. (SAST). The auction will be held in person at our new gallery and auction room in the Trumpet Building, 21 Keyes Avenue in Rosebank, and will also be streamed live for online bidding.

The sale is presented in two sessions. The first showcases a significant selection of late modern and contemporary works by leading South African, African, and international artists.

The second session is dedicated to highlights from the Humphreys Collection, now released by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. Shared Treasures: The Humphreys Collection features 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, British and French works of the same period, antique sculptures, furniture, and objets d’art, as well as 20th-century South African works from the personal holdings of Kimberley statesman William Benbow Humphreys (1889–1965). These works formed the original bequest for the establishment of the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley in 1948.

You are invited to register for the auction, place your bid in advance or follow in the room or online in real-time to bid. 

ONLINE AUCTION

26 August - 16 September 2025

A Variety of Varieties: Classic Cellar Selections celebrates South African winemaking and its most collectable categories. From single-vineyard and vertical Chenin Blancs, through elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, to powerful Bordeaux-style blends, these local treasures are paired with standout international benchmark bottles to provide an international tasting comparator.

With all lots provenance-checked and cellar-ready, the sale brings together age-worthy vertical sets, rare large formats and single-bottle treasures, ideal for private collectors, sommeliers and trade cellars.

Featured highlights are marquee South African names and special formats, such as Kanonkop double magnums and multi-vintage verticals from Sadie Family Wines and David & Nadia. Standout lots include Alheit Huilkrans 2019 (a multi-bottle lot), David & Nadia Chenin verticals, Storm Wines’ Vrede Chardonnay 2023 and sought-after Kanonkop large-format offerings.

Anchoring the sale is a Vincent Dancer Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc (2023), bringing an international collecting focus and pricing context.

*Condition and Provenance Reports and provenance information are available for every lot.

DISCOVER:

ONLINE AUCTION

17 - 29 July 2025

Our Winter '25 Collection: Across the Line draws together a bold and wide-ranging spectrum of artistic voices, practices, and periods. This all-encompassing collection highlights historic, modern, and contemporary works that explore, blur, and reimagine lines - between past and present, tradition and innovation, abstraction and figuration - highlighting how artists engage with material, method, and meaning in compelling and unexpected ways.

From painting and sculpture to drawings, editioned works and mixed media, the selection spans eras, aesthetics, and themes, offering a panoramic view of artistic expression.

Lines divide, but they also connect; they can mark thresholds or invite crossing. In this spirit, Across the Line celebrates artworks that ignite dialogue and collectors who embrace it. Whether you're a seasoned eye or just beginning your journey, this auction offers an opportunity to explore new possibilities and perspectives in art collecting.

Take the step. Cross the line. Collecting starts here.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTIONS:

ONLINE AUCTION

12 - 26 June 2025

Aspire Art is excited to announce the launch of its new dedicated Wine auction category, in proud partnership with Rueda Wine Co.

The Grand Pour: Rare & Premier Wines, showcased South Africa’s most celebrated “100-pointer” wines and cult labels, alongside top global icons with impeccable storage histories and collector-grade provenance.

DISCOVER:

This unique collection of paintings, sketchbooks, prints, inks and watercolours on paper, comes directly from Robert Hodgins’ studio at the home he shared with fellow artist Jan Neethling in Midrand.

Jan Neethling and Robert Hodgins were best friends and life companions and shared a home for nearly 15 years, where they exchanged creative ideas and supported one another’s artistic practices. The works on offer are from Jan’s personal collection and many were – at times – displayed in their home, while others remained in the studio Hodgins worked in, adjacent to the house.

A number of pivotal artworks, including the magnificent, Une Saison en Enfers (circa 2002), have never been shown publicly nor offered on the market. As a custodian of this unique collection Jan has cherished and held close Hodgins’ creations and shares them, with love…

The collection will be offered over 2 sessions; the first as part of the Modern & Contemporary Evening Sale in Johannesburg on 25 June and the second in an Online Auction running from 11 to 26 June.

LIVE AUCTION IN JOHANNESBURG

25 June 2025

The evening sale of Modern & Contemporary Art will take place in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 25 June 2025 at 7 p.m., in person and streaming live for online bidding from the Trumpet Building, 21 Keyes Avenue in Rosebank.

Forming part of the sale is a special section dedicated to the formidable artist Robert Hodgins. With Love, Robert Hodgins: Artworks from the Studio features a unique collection of paintings, sketchbooks, prints, inks and watercolours on paper, directly from the artist's studio at the home he shared with fellow artist Jan Neethling in Midrand. A number of pivotal artworks, including the magnificent Une Saison en Enfers (circa 2002), have never been shown publicly nor offered on the market.

ONLINE AUCTION

17 - 30 April 2025

Our Autumn '25 Collection: Beyond Boundaries celebrates artistic exploration without limits, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives that reflect both the continuity and evolution of creative expression and art making.

Showcasing an expansive range of works—from evocative historical pieces, traditional art forms, to bold contemporary creations and intricately crafted ceramics—this collection is an invitation to step outside the familiar.

The auction is closed.

For post-sale enquiries, contact Amy Carrington at amy@aspireart.net 

LIVE AUCTION IN CAPE TOWN

12 March 2025

The auction is now closed.

For post-sale enquiries, please contact: sarah@aspireart.net 

ONLINE AUCTION

6 - 18 February 2025

A curated collection of fresh and exciting works of art by young, emerging artists alongside established names making their mark today.

The auction is closed for bidding.

ONLINE AUCTION

6 - 18 February 2025

Significant legacy artworks and collectable pieces by prominent artists and makers.

The auction is closed for bidding.

ONLINE AUCTION

23 - 30 January 2025

Start the year by expanding your art collection with exceptional pieces at NO RESERVE. 

Every bid counts! Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to secure an incredible artwork. 

The auction is open for bidding untill 30 January 2025, with lots starting to close from 6pm CAT.