This extraordinarily authentic oil painting of King Cetshwayo Kampande by Howick artist Brenda Johnstone took months of extensive research so she could accurately record the historic attire and artefacts of the Zulu king.

It was painted for a portrait competition organised by the Tatham Art Gallery, and subsequently bought from her by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in 2003.

It was presented for safekeeping on behalf of the Zulu nation to King Goodwill Zwelithini at the grand unveiling of the Spirit of Emakhosini Memorial at Ulundi, on 3 May, 2003.

But mystery now surrounds the whereabouts of this painting – which was spotted with a for sale sign in a Hillcrest antique shop. When questioned about its origin, the seller immediately withdrew the artwork and it disappeared.

It is suspected of having been stolen from one of the king’s palaces, and sold at an auction house.

Said Johnstone: “The Tatham competition had offered a prize of a R100 000 commission to paint the king in full regalia. It had attracted about 100 entries.” Afterwards, the artworks were offered for sale – but the only one sold was Johnstone’s.

“It had been painstaking to research and then include all of the authentic clothing and details in the painting,” she said. In fact, on the reverse of the portrait is a complete list of what was included in the painting: items like the head ring: made of beeswax and plant extracts, moulded into his hair; lion’s claw necklace [umgexo] izinkhokhobane ezimbubhesi]; the leopard skin [isinene]; and brass gauntlet [Isingxotha].

“This was made in Cetshwayo’s time, and worn by the king,” said Johnstone.

“I am told it is now in Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi`s possession, with the ivory bracelet [ingxotha yezinnyo] or [inxota ezinyo] handed down from Shaka, Dingane, Mpande and finally to Cetshwayo.”

She was also very particular about the authentic royal staff [itonga] being included in the painting – used on ceremonial occasions, handed from Shaka to Dingane, Mpande and finally Cetshwayo.

Other details include the Cetshwayo kilt, or sporran made of entwined civet and/or genet cat skin; the shield [isihlangu] presumed to have belonged to King Cetshwayo, taken after defeat at the battle of Ulundi in 1879. “The spear with a curved heel shows it belonged to royalty.” Understandably, Johnstone is distressed that her painting is floating around where it does not belong.

“I thought it was still on the palace walls, until six years ago when a friend saw it in a Hillcrest gallery. She phoned me, and both I and Arthur Konigkramer, who had been the head of Amafa and has huge interest in the Zulu culture, and who had provided much of the information for me for the painting, went and confirmed it was mine.

The seller was asking R45 000 … but when she heard there were inquiries about its ownership, she withdrew it and it disappeared again.”

King Zwelithini is reluctant to open a case of theft (there are rumours a relative could have stolen the painting, which would cause embarrassment) but both he and Johnstone are keen to trace it.

“Ideally, I would like to see it back in the palace, or perhaps on a wall at Fugitive’s Drift, beside the painting I did of its founder, David Rattray,” she said.

If you know where the painting is, email [email protected]