Shared Treasures: The Humphreys Collection Part 2

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.

Sale number: TO4 Sept25
Location: Online Auction

Sale contact

Name: Amy Carrington
Email: amy@aspireart.net

Name: Alexia Ferreira
Email: alexia.ferreira@aspireart.net

View Results

Lot 49 - Cape Copper Kettle, 19th Century

Sold for R938

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 50 - A Cape Copper Cauldron, 19th Century

Sold for R997

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 51 - Copper Planter, 20th Century

Sold for R528

Estimated at R600 - R800

Lot 52 - A Silver-Plated Hot Water Urn

Estimated at R400 - R600

Lot 53 - A Metal Urn

Estimated at R4,000 - R6,000

Lot 54 - Emerald Urn

Sold for R7,035

Estimated at R6,000 - R8,000

Lot 55 - Grecian Terracotta Vase, 19th Century

Sold for R19,932

Estimated at R6,000 - R8,000

Lot 56 - A Relief Pot

Sold for R10,552

Estimated at R4,000 - R6,000

Lot 57 - A Pair of Concrete Corbels

Estimated at R5,000 - R7,000

Lot 58 - Reproduction section of Cantoria by Luca della Robbia

Estimated at R40,000 - R60,000

Lot 59 - Classic Relief of a Figure Holding a Small Urn

Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 60 - Copy of J. Chiurazzi & Fils Foundry (Italy 19th Century) An Italian Bronze Figure of Nike

Sold for R17,588

Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 61 - Bust (Copy of Juno Ludovici)

Sold for R35,175

Estimated at R5,000 - R7,000

Lot 62 - Julius Caesar

Sold for R11,725

Estimated at R5,000 - R7,000

Lot 63 - Javanese Bust

Estimated at R10,000 - R15,000

Lot 64 - Birds in Flight II

Sold for R25,795

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 65 - Birds in Flight

Sold for R25,795

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 66 - 3 Masted Baroque Alma, 19th Century

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 67 - Andre Beronneau (France 1896-1973) St Tropez

Estimated at R4,000 - R6,000

Lot 68 - Attributed to Edward Pritchett (Britain 1807-1876) Canal Scene

Sold for R82,075

Estimated at R25,000 - R35,000

Lot 69 - Attributed to Thomas Luny (Britain 1759-1837) Bombardment of Algiers

Sold for R41,105

Estimated at R50,000 - R70,000

Lot 70 - Samuel Bird (Britain 19th Century) The Pool of London

Sold for R5,862

Estimated at R7,000 - R10,000

Lot 71 - Attributed to Horace Vernet (France 1789-1863) Soldiers of the Grand Army

Estimated at R10,000 - R15,000

Lot 72 - After Alfred Barye, Émile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin The Arab Warrior on Horseback

Sold for R5,862

Estimated at R6,000 - R8,000

Lot 73 - Attributed to Pieter Wouwerman (Netherlands 1623-1682) Landscape with fountain and horses

Sold for R5,000

Estimated at R10,000 - R15,000

Lot 74 - Attributed to Francesco Zuccarelli (Italy 1702-1788) Landscape with figures

Sold for R53,935

Estimated at R50,000 - R70,000

Lot 75 - Unknown Artist Scene with a lady on horseback

Sold for R12,898

Estimated at R5,000 - R7,000

Lot 76 - Hannah Presenting her Son Samuel to Eli the High Priest

Sold for R1,055

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 77 - Attributed to Angelika Kauffmann (Switzerland 1741-1804) Achilles & Ulysses

Sold for R8,442,000

Estimated at R80,000 - R120,000

Lot 78 - Unknown Artist Icarus & Daedalus

Sold for R51,590

Estimated at R15,000 - R20,000

Lot 79 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Sacred and Profane Love

Sold for R1,759

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 80 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Musidora

Sold for R1,200

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 81 - Unknown Artist Miniature portrait of a woman

Sold for R1,524

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 82 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Pauline Bonaparte

Sold for R1,642

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 83 - Attributed to Jules Dupre (France 1811-1889) Miniature portrait of a lady wearing a hat

Sold for R1,172

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 84 - Unknown Artist Miniature portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 85 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Beatrice d'Este

Sold for R6,449

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 86 - Unknown Artist Miniature portrait of woman with yellow scarf

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 87 - Unknown Artist Mother and child

Sold for R1,524

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 88 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Mona Lisa (La Joconde)

Sold for R1,172

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 89 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan

Sold for R1,407

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 90 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci

Sold for R1,172

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 91 - Remy de Turicque (Italy 19th Century) Miniature portrait of unknown woman in a masque costume

Sold for R1,642

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 92 - Attributed to Caspar de Crayer (Belgium 1584-1669) Portrait of a lady

Sold for R328,300

Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 93 - Follower of Cornelis de Vos (Belgium 16th Century) Portrait of gentleman

Sold for R46,900

Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 94 - Attributed to David Wilkie (Britain 1785-1841) Self portrait

Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 95 - Attributed to Angelika Kauffmann (Switzerland 1741-1804) Portrait of a lady

Estimated at R50,000 - R70,000

Lot 96 - Style of David Teniers II (Belgium 1610-1690) Barrack room Scene

Estimated at R50,000 - R70,000