A Golden Evening 29 October Wed, 05 Nov 2014
International Art Centre's 29 October Important, Early & Rare auction saw excellent results across the board, with a sale total exceeding $1.4million and a 74% clearance rate.
The compelling work of Charles Frederick Goldie attracted the most attention with three works exceeding $200,000. Goldie's Thoughts of a Tohunga, a portrait of Wharekauri Tahuna, A Chieftain of the Arawa Tribe, painted in 1938 fetched a season high price of $416,000 including buyers premium. This work has propelled International Art Centre into achieving top price for the year at auction two years running. Last November International Art Centre achieved $732,800 for another Goldie, Kawhena, painted in 1892 - the artist's earliest Maori portrait Another work titled ''The Weariness of the Aged' - Kapi Kapi an Arawa Chieftainess Aged 102 Years made $257,950 including premium. A delightful smaller piece featuring the same subject 'No Koora the Cigaretti' made $190,000 hammer.
There was an exciting bidding duel for Philip Clairmont's 'Country Carnivore Carnival' fetching $51,590 including premium, the second large scale Clairmont we have sold in as many months after Still Life With Jug And Paint Brushes, 1977 made $42,430 in our September sale of the Fletcher Trust paintings . A good price was achieved for Karl Maughan - $30,000 plus premium for 'Ravensbourne'.
There were some good prices for mid priced moderns - Robert Ellis small but very well painted 'Motorway Journey' made $10,500 plus premium against its $8,000 - 12,000 estimate and a Hotere drawing got to $15,500 - titled 'Taiaroa Head & Aramoana' it carried a reserve of $11,000. Another small Hotere made $11,250. A small Siddell watercolour - rare as Siddell watercolours are hard to find made $4,250 plus premium against its $2,500 - 3,500 estimate, another work made $5,600.
Raymond Ching's 'Don Forrest 1975' went for $10,250 plus premium, interesting given the work attracted a top bid of $7,000 in our April catalogue.
Ian Scott's lattice are in hot demand. Four of these works have been offered in our sales in the last two months, all exceeding their reserves and the highest price being $9,500.
Toss Woollastons 'Tasman Bay' sold for $28,000, the second Woollaston oil sold in as many months - $25,000 was achieved for 'Moon Over Pah Hill' in September.
A very exquisite John Kinder made $12,500 - the work 'Crater of Poerua, Bay of Islands' was one of six we offered in the calendar year, again all selling under hammer and all achieving more than reserve. Refreshing to see these historic works attracting so much attention. A Hoyte of Whangaroa Harbour went for $17,000.
An A A Deans made $9,500, it was a truly special example painted in 1939. Prices were certainly buoyant which pretty much sums up the year here at International Art Centre.
Eight auctions, excellent results, market leaders.
