Another great sale result at International Art Centre Wed, 04 Aug 2010
Last week's Important, Early & Rare auction held 28 July is set to achieve one of the highest selling rates for an Important, Early & Rare auction. About 85% of the entries sold under hammer with the small remainder of works under negotiation. A combination of realistic reserves, quality works and an enthusiastic crowd supported by determined phone bidders, saw the mid-year offering snapped up in just under two hours.
The highest price paid was $195,000 + buyers premium for C F Goldie's 'A Centenarian', 1915. A local buyer prevailed over offshore interests allowing Lucien Pissarro's 'Landscape through Trees, Tilty Wood', to remain in New Zealand. The market's favouring of historical New Zealand works was clearly to the fore. C D Barraud's historic and faithfully documented 1856 watercolour 'Wellington' attracted no less than four bidders driving the hammer price to $45,000. Charles Blomfield's 'Tu Kapuarangi - The Pink Terrace', an 1882 oil on canvas measuring 45 x 50cm and recently repatriated from the United States fetched $37,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $15,000 - 25,000. Another Charles Blomfield 'Auckland from Mt Eden', whilst small at just 16 x 29cm went for $10,000 with an estimate of $5,000 - 7,000. All nine watercolours by J B C Hoyte 1835 - 1913 were sold on the night and Alfred Sharpe's smaller view of Auckland in 1907 made $24,000. A lithographic print published by the Great Britain Hydrographic Office in 1857 featuring entrances to Auckland Harbour surveyed by Captain J L Stokes, Commander B Drury made $5,300 against an estimate of $1,500 - 2,000 and a chart of Northland by Jules Dumont D'urville 1790 - 1842 with an estimate of $800 - 1,200 made $1,500. A Margaret Stoddart watercolour of Franz Josef Glacier made $9,000.
The action continued with the 20th Century works - $25,000 + buyers premium was bid for John Weeks 'Limestone Gorge, King Country' with the other six works by John Weeks also sold on the night and ranging from $2,000 - $9,500. All eight works by Maud Winifred Sherwood 1880 - 1956 were also sold on the night with prices ranging from $650 for a small woodcut up to $6,000 for 'Beach Picnic'. Two watercolours by Gabrielle Hope were keenly sought, one fetching its top estimate of $3,500. A watercolour by Peter McIntyre made $18,000, the highest price for a McIntyre in 2010. Works by regionalist artists such as A A Deans, Douglas Badcock and Colin Vernon Wheeler saw enthusiastic bidding. Four Tom Esplins were all sold above reserve. Janice Gill's 'Hokonui, The Informer' recently exhibited at 'Telling Stories of Ourselves' Janice Gill, Southland Museum and Suter Gallery, Nelson made $3,500. Surprisingly though Rita Angus' 'Mangonui, 1953' did not make reserve and is available for sale by negotiation - a perfect opportunity for a savvy investor to snap up fresh work by one of our leading 20th Century artists - enquire now if you have an interest in this work. info@fineartauction.co.nz
A Dick Frizzell titled 'Old Water Tower - Tokoroa' actually featuring the water tower at Lichfield, made $16,000 against its estimate of $8,000 - 12,000.
A final total is likely to be around NZ$1 million. The 19th & 20th Century art market continues its upwards path, a trend we have witnessed in recent years. With other investments falling behind it appears art is almost certainly holding its own.
Works are now invited for the next Important, Early & Rare auction to be held October 2010. To include works in this sale email Richard Thomson richard@artcntr.co.nz Upload an image here using our online appraisal form.
Alternatively Ph +64 9 379-4010 or Toll Free 0800 800 322
Richard Thomson mobile 0274 751 071 after hours
Important Early & Rare auctions have met with much enthusiasm in the market, collectors now highly anticipating these special sales. Enter early to ensure acceptance. Another fully illustrated and expertly researched catalogue is currently in preparation.
