Traces of Time: Artworks, Photographs, Artefacts and Memorabilia from the De Beers Collection

Traces of Time: Artworks, Photographs, Artefacts and Memorabilia from the De Beers Collection

ONLINE AUCTION

9 - 21 October 2025

 

Founded in 1888 in South Africa, the De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company. They have – over their long history – also been active patrons of the arts and amassed a rich and eclectic collection of art and collectable objects.

Giving a glimpse into the country’s history and culture this sale presents a selection from the historic collection which crosses over vast time periods; from Table Mountain, an early oil painting by Axel Eriksson (1878-1924) to contemporary South African favourites such as Norman Catherine (1949-), Pat Mautloa (1952-), Deborah Bell (1957-), Colbert Mashile (1972-) and Sandile Goje (1972-).

The sale further showcases an immense collection of art and craft mediums from ceramics to innovative objects using wire, safety pins and paper mache to linocuts, traditional oil paintings, watercolours and bronzes to tapestries, woven grass baskets and beadwork – tracing the endless creative spirit of local communities, over time.

 

The auction is closed for bidding. 

For post-sale enquiries or to make an offer on passed lots, contact Carina Jansen at carina@aspireart.net 

 

Sale number: TODB9/10
Location: Online Auction

Name: Ms Carina Jansen
Email: carina@aspireart.net
Telephone: +27 78 968 2476

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

View Results
Lot 49 - Unknown Artist

Lot 49 - Unknown Artist The narrow gauge locomotive engine, with sealed deposit cars leaving the Washing Plant for the Pulsator

Sold for R117


Estimated at R500 - R800

Lot 50 - Unknown Artist

Lot 50 - Unknown Artist Goldfields First Office in St Augustine Street' Central Company, two

Sold for R821


Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 51 - L Gelderblom (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 51 - L Gelderblom (South Africa 20th Century) Dunluce, the home of the Orr family from 1902 - 1975; Barney Barnato's Boxing Academy, now part of the Music Museum, two

Estimated at R600 - R800

Lot 52 - Leng Dixon (South Africa 1916-1968)

Lot 52 - Leng Dixon (South Africa 1916-1968) District Six, Cape Town

Sold for R17,588


Estimated at R18,000 - R24,000

Lot 53 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 53 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) Shrand's Corner

Estimated at R3,000 - R5,000

Lot 54 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 54 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) Kimberley Scene

Sold for R4,690


Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 55 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 55 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) Sorting on the Mines

Sold for R4,690


Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 56 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 56 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) Mine Workers

Sold for R4,690


Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 57 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 57 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) The Big Hole

Sold for R10,552


Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 58 - Ulrich Schwanecke (Germany 1932-2006)

Lot 58 - Ulrich Schwanecke (Germany 1932-2006) Blue Mountainside

Sold for R704


Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 59 - Ulrich Schwanecke (Germany 1932-2006)

Lot 59 - Ulrich Schwanecke (Germany 1932-2006) A Landscape with Thorny Branches

Estimated at R400 - R600

Lot 60 - Ulrich Schwanecke (Germany 1932-2006)

Lot 60 - Ulrich Schwanecke (Germany 1932-2006) Domen

Estimated at R600 - R800

Lot 61 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 61 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) Rock boulders in the landscape

Sold for R352


Estimated at R1,000 - R3,000

Lot 62 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 62 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) Desert Landscape

Sold for R352


Estimated at R1,000 - R3,000

Lot 63 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015)

Lot 63 - Walter Westbrook (South Africa 1925-2015) The Desert

Sold for R352


Estimated at R1,000 - R3,000

Lot 64 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-)

Lot 64 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-) The Kiss (Saint series)

Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 65 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-)

Lot 65 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-) Time for Change (Saint series 6)

Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 66 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-)

Lot 66 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-) Reality of thought (Saint series 9)

Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 67 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-)

Lot 67 - John Moore (South Africa 1972-) I Spy (Saint series: 7)

Sold for R410


Estimated at R1,200 - R1,800

Lot 68 - David Tomlinson (South Africa 1941-)

Lot 68 - David Tomlinson (South Africa 1941-) African Jacana

Sold for R15,242


Estimated at R10,000 - R15,000

Lot 69 - J Jelus

Lot 69 - J Jelus Falcon

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 70 - Mark Enslin (South Africa 1953-)

Lot 70 - Mark Enslin (South Africa 1953-) Ducks in a Pond

Estimated at R500 - R700

Lot 71 - Phillip Clancey (South Africa 1917-2001)

Lot 71 - Phillip Clancey (South Africa 1917-2001) Longtailed Glossy Starlings

Sold for R528


Estimated at R400 - R600

Lot 72 - Phillip Clancey (South Africa 1917-2001)

Lot 72 - Phillip Clancey (South Africa 1917-2001) European Golden Orioles

Sold for R997


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 73 - Unknown Artist

Lot 73 - Unknown Artist September; February, two

Sold for R938


Estimated at R1,000 - R3,000

Lot 74 - Unknown Artist

Lot 74 - Unknown Artist Quagga Assinus Quagga

Sold for R3,752


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 75 - Mojaoji (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 75 - Mojaoji (South Africa 20th Century) Zebra and bird mat

Sold for R997


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 76 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 76 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century) Beadwork in Glass Frame

Sold for R528


Estimated at R600 - R800

Lot 77 - Ardmore Ceramic Studio (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 77 - Ardmore Ceramic Studio (South Africa 20th Century) Ceramic bowl

Sold for R879


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 78 - Ardmore Ceramic Studio (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 78 - Ardmore Ceramic Studio (South Africa 20th Century) Ceramic bowl 2

Sold for R879


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 79 - Tapson Tshabalala (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 79 - Tapson Tshabalala (South Africa 20th Century) Abstract

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 80 - Sizakele Ntshangase (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 80 - Sizakele Ntshangase (South Africa 20th Century) Zulu basket

Estimated at R5,000 - R7,000

Lot 81 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 81 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) Ntombi and Her Pots

Sold for R234


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 82 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 82 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) The Widow and the Python

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 83 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 83 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) Thembi`s Quest

Sold for R234


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 84 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 84 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) Skeleton Woman

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 85 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 85 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) Mother Bird

Sold for R234


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 86 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 86 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) Manta's Golden Hair

Estimated at R1,000 - R1,500

Lot 87 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 87 - Dina Cormick (South Africa 20th Century) Skywoman and her Basket

Sold for R234


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 88 - Tapson Tshabalala (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 88 - Tapson Tshabalala (South Africa 20th Century) Working Outside the Homestead

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 89 - Paul Sekete (South Africa 1957-)

Lot 89 - Paul Sekete (South Africa 1957-) 2 Figures...

Sold for R2,110


Estimated at R2,000 - R3,000

Lot 90 - Ben Macala (South Africa 1938-1997)

Lot 90 - Ben Macala (South Africa 1938-1997) Untitled

Estimated at R400 - R600

Lot 91 - Hans Anton Aschenborn (Germany 1888-1931)

Lot 91 - Hans Anton Aschenborn (Germany 1888-1931) Evening Fire under the Trees

Sold for R5,862


Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 92 - Matthew Brittan (South Africa 1948-)

Lot 92 - Matthew Brittan (South Africa 1948-) Barks in Autumn

Sold for R586


Estimated at R2,000 - R4,000

Lot 93 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 93 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century) Ochre Apron

Sold for R762


Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 94 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 94 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century) Large Safety Pin Bracelet

Sold for R176


Estimated at R300 - R600

Lot 95 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century)

Lot 95 - Unknown Artist (South Africa 20th Century) Small Safety Pin Bracelet

Sold for R117


Estimated at R400 - R600

Lot 96 - Sandile Goje (South Africa 1972-)

Lot 96 - Sandile Goje (South Africa 1972-) Mother Prepares the Samp

Sold for R1,055


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000