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 contact
Name: Amy Carrington
Email: amy@aspireart.net
Name: Alexia Ferreira
Email: alexia.ferreira@aspireart.net
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Lot 1 - After Philippe Magnier (1647-1715) The Wrestler
Lot 2 - Dancing Faun (Copy of Poietro Cipiriaani)
Lot 3 - After Severo Ravenna (Italy 15th Century -1543) Boy with thorn
Lot 4 - Green Marble Pedestal, 20th Century
Lot 5 - Black Wooden Pedestal, 20th Century
Lot 6 - Chinese Ebonised Hardwood Centre Table
Lot 7 - A Spanish Oak Court Bench, 19th Century
Lot 8 - A Mahogany Italian Cassone, 19th Century
Lot 9 - Boulle Italian Cabinet with Marble Top
Lot 10 - Louis XVI Display Cabinet (Sheraton display case), 19th Century
Lot 11 - Sheraton Mahogany and Gilt Metal Vitrine, 18th Century
Lot 12 - An Italian Gilt Metal Boulle with Glass Top, 20th Century
Lot 13 - Gilt Papier Mache Table
Lot 14 - An Italian Gilt Console Table, 20th Century
Lot 15 - A Carved Giltwood Console Table with Figural Scrollwork Decoration
Lot 16 - Baroque Gilt Base, 19th Century
Lot 17 - An Oak Armchair with Louis XIV Tapestry, 20th Century
Lot 18 - Admiral Beatty's Leather Armchair, 19th Century
Lot 19 - A Mahogany Leather Seated Chair, 19th Century
Lot 20 - A Transvaal Tambotie Rusbank, late 19th Century
Lot 21 - Stinkwood Chair with Riempie Seat, 20th Century
Lot 22 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century
Lot 23 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat 20th Century
Lot 24 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century
Lot 25 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century
Lot 26 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century
Lot 27 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century
Lot 28 - A Bull Horn with Silver Centre Snuff Box, 20th Century
Lot 29 - Victorian Silver Tray
Lot 30 - Victorian Silver Fruit Basket
Lot 31 - Bronze Candle Sticks, two
Lot 32 - Victorian Silver Candelabrum
Lot 33 - Dutch Delf Tiles, three
Lot 35 - German Porcelain Figurine, 19th Century musical scene
Lot 36 - Dancing German Dresden Lace Porcelain Figurine, 20th Century
Lot 37 - German Dresden Lace Porcelain Figurine, 20th Century
Lot 38 - Dresden Floral Double-Handled Server, 19th Century
Lot 39 - Floral Bon Bon Dish on Pedestal, 19th Century
Lot 40 - Blue French Floral Bon Bon Dish, 19th Century Trinket Basket
Lot 41 - Multicoloured French Floral Bon Bon Dish, 19th Century Trinket Basket II
Lot 42 - A Meissen Porcelain Clock, 19th century A Meissen Porcelain Clock, 19th century
Lot 43 - A Brass Table Clock With Blue Porcelain Inlays, 19th Century
Lot 44 - Oriental Chinese Soup Dish, 20th Century
Lot 45 - Chinese Dish, 20th Century; Armorial Famile Rose Bowl, 19th Century, two
Lot 47 - A Victorian Silver Urn
Lot 48 - A German Silver Urn and Stand, 19th Century
