Shared Treasures: The Humphreys Collection Part 2

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.

 

Location: Online Auction

Name: Amy Carrington
Email: amy@aspireart.net

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

Refine your results

 

Auction

Price and date

 

Category

Art (68)

Decorative Arts (18)

Furniture (24)

Silverware (1)

 
Lot 1 - After Philippe Magnier (1647-1715)

Lot 1 - After Philippe Magnier (1647-1715)

Sold for R586,250


Estimated at R50,000 - R70,000

Lot 2 - Dancing Faun (Copy of Poietro Cipiriaani)

Lot 2 - Dancing Faun (Copy of Poietro Cipiriaani)

Sold for R17,588


Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 3 - After Severo Ravenna (Italy 15th Century -1543)

Lot 3 - After Severo Ravenna (Italy 15th Century -1543)

Sold for R16,415


Estimated at R18,000 - R24,000

Lot 4 - Green Marble Pedestal, 20th Century

Lot 4 - Green Marble Pedestal, 20th Century

Sold for R2,345


Estimated at R2,500 - R3,500

Lot 5 - Black Wooden Pedestal, 20th Century

Lot 5 - Black Wooden Pedestal, 20th Century

Estimated at R3,000 - R4,000

Lot 6 - Chinese Ebonised Hardwood Centre Table

Lot 6 - Chinese Ebonised Hardwood Centre Table

Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 7 - A Spanish Oak Court Bench, 19th Century

Lot 7 - A Spanish Oak Court Bench, 19th Century

Estimated at R10,000 - R15,000

Lot 8 - A Mahogany Italian Cassone, 19th Century

Lot 8 - A Mahogany Italian Cassone, 19th Century

Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 9 - Boulle Italian Cabinet with Marble Top

Lot 9 - Boulle Italian Cabinet with Marble Top

Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 10 - Louis XVI Display Cabinet (Sheraton display case), 19th Century

Lot 10 - Louis XVI Display Cabinet (Sheraton display case), 19th Century

Estimated at R15,000 - R20,000

Lot 11 - Sheraton Mahogany and Gilt Metal Vitrine, 18th Century

Lot 11 - Sheraton Mahogany and Gilt Metal Vitrine, 18th Century

Sold for R15,242


Estimated at R10,000 - R15,000

Lot 12 - An Italian Gilt Metal Boulle with Glass Top, 20th Century

Lot 12 - An Italian Gilt Metal Boulle with Glass Top, 20th Century

Estimated at R20,000 - R30,000

Lot 13 - Gilt Papier Mache Table

Lot 13 - Gilt Papier Mache Table

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 14 - An Italian Gilt Console Table, 20th Century

Lot 14 - An Italian Gilt Console Table, 20th Century

Estimated at R2,000 - R3,000

Lot 15 - A Carved Giltwood Console Table with Figural Scrollwork Decoration

Lot 15 - A Carved Giltwood Console Table with Figural Scrollwork Decoration

Estimated at R8,000 - R12,000

Lot 16 - Baroque Gilt Base, 19th Century

Lot 16 - Baroque Gilt Base, 19th Century

Sold for R53,935


Estimated at R6,000 - R8,000

Lot 17 - An Oak Armchair with Louis XIV Tapestry, 20th Century

Lot 17 - An Oak Armchair with Louis XIV Tapestry, 20th Century

Estimated at R6,000 - R8,000

Lot 18 - Admiral Beatty's Leather Armchair, 19th Century

Lot 18 - Admiral Beatty's Leather Armchair, 19th Century

Estimated at R400 - R600

Lot 19 - A Mahogany Leather Seated Chair, 19th Century

Lot 19 - A Mahogany Leather Seated Chair, 19th Century

Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 20 - A Transvaal Tambotie Rusbank, late 19th Century

Lot 20 - A Transvaal Tambotie Rusbank, late 19th Century

Estimated at R10,000 - R20,000

Lot 21 - Stinkwood Chair with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Lot 21 - Stinkwood Chair with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Sold for R704


Estimated at R600 - R1,200

Lot 22 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Lot 22 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Estimated at R500 - R700

Lot 23 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat 20th Century

Lot 23 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat 20th Century

Estimated at R600 - R1,200

Lot 24 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Lot 24 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Estimated at R600 - R1,200

Lot 25 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Lot 25 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Estimated at R600 - R1,200

Lot 26 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Lot 26 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 27 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Lot 27 - Stinkwood High Back with Riempie Seat, 20th Century

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 28 - A Bull Horn with Silver Centre Snuff Box, 20th Century

Lot 28 - A Bull Horn with Silver Centre Snuff Box, 20th Century

Estimated at R12,000 - R18,000

Lot 29 - Victorian Silver Tray

Lot 29 - Victorian Silver Tray

Sold for R469


Estimated at R500 - R700

Lot 30 - Victorian Silver Fruit Basket

Lot 30 - Victorian Silver Fruit Basket

Sold for R9,966


Estimated at R2,000 - R4,000

Lot 31 - Bronze Candle Sticks, two

Lot 31 - Bronze Candle Sticks, two

Estimated at R3,000 - R4,000

Lot 32 - Victorian Silver Candelabrum

Lot 32 - Victorian Silver Candelabrum

Sold for R1,172


Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 33 - Dutch Delf Tiles, three

Lot 33 - Dutch Delf Tiles, three

Sold for R469


Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 34 - Garden of Cherubs

Lot 34 - Garden of Cherubs

Sold for R352


Estimated at R500 - R700

Lot 35 - German Porcelain Figurine, 19th Century

Lot 35 - German Porcelain Figurine, 19th Century

Sold for R234


Estimated at R500 - R700

Lot 36 - Dancing German Dresden Lace Porcelain Figurine, 20th Century

Lot 36 - Dancing German Dresden Lace Porcelain Figurine, 20th Century

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 37 - German Dresden Lace Porcelain Figurine, 20th Century

Lot 37 - German Dresden Lace Porcelain Figurine, 20th Century

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 38 - Dresden Floral Double-Handled Server, 19th Century

Lot 38 - Dresden Floral Double-Handled Server, 19th Century

Estimated at R3,000 - R4,000

Lot 39 - Floral Bon Bon Dish on Pedestal, 19th Century

Lot 39 - Floral Bon Bon Dish on Pedestal, 19th Century

Estimated at R1,500 - R2,500

Lot 40 - Blue French Floral Bon Bon Dish, 19th Century

Lot 40 - Blue French Floral Bon Bon Dish, 19th Century

Sold for R800


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 41 - Multicoloured French Floral Bon Bon Dish, 19th Century

Lot 41 - Multicoloured French Floral Bon Bon Dish, 19th Century

Sold for R938


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 42 - A Meissen Porcelain Clock, 19th century

Lot 42 - A Meissen Porcelain Clock, 19th century

Estimated at R3,000 - R4,000

Lot 43 - A Brass Table Clock With Blue Porcelain Inlays, 19th Century

Lot 43 - A Brass Table Clock With Blue Porcelain Inlays, 19th Century

Estimated at R4,000 - R6,000

Lot 44 - Oriental Chinese Soup Dish, 20th Century

Lot 44 - Oriental Chinese Soup Dish, 20th Century

Sold for R352


Estimated at R800 - R1,200

Lot 45 - Japanese Dish, 20th Century; Armorial Famille Rose Bowl, 18th Century, two

Lot 45 - Japanese Dish, 20th Century; Armorial Famille Rose Bowl, 18th Century, two

Sold for R821


Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 46 - Small Ceramic Jug

Lot 46 - Small Ceramic Jug

Estimated at R1,000 - R2,000

Lot 47 - A Victorian Silver Urn

Lot 47 - A Victorian Silver Urn

Estimated at R6,000 - R8,000

Lot 48 - A German Silver Urn and Stand, 19th Century

Lot 48 - A German Silver Urn and Stand, 19th Century

Estimated at R3,000 - R4,000