Charles F Goldie's First Maori Portrait up for auction Thu, 17 Oct 2013

Update 17 November: Listen to Radio New Zealand Arts on Sunday with Justin Gregory, Richard Thomson and Roger Blackley here

International Art Centre is pleased to present C F Goldie's 'Kawhena' in the 20 November Important, Early & Rare auction 20 November. The 77.6 x 67cm widely documented and illustrated portrait has been hung in the Wellington club for nearly fifteen years. It comes from the estate of a former club member.

Kawhena was extensively shown in GOLDIE The Exhibition which toured Auckland Art Gallery, Te Papa, Christchurch Art Gallery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and NSW Art Gallery in 1997 - 1999 - it features as a full page illustration in curator Roger Blackley's book that was produced specifically for the exhibition.

The portrait features Hone Kawhena b. 1825, also known as Johnny Coffin, a constable of the old town of Auckland - it won a silver medal for art at the December 1892 Auckland Academy of Fine Arts. At the time the medal was awared, Goldie was in Sydney and on his way to the prestigious Académie Julian in Paris.

The work is estimated to fetch somewhere in the vicinity of $600,000 - 800,000.

Another work featured is Frances Hodgkins 'Country Colour, Purbeck', painted in 1944. Once held in the collection of the late British Composer Sir Lennox Berkley, it comes from the estate of his friend New Zelaand Pianist Colin Horsley.

Another exceptional small work by Goldie is featured, on the amrket for the first time in 80 years, it was painted in 1911 and features Te Aitu te Irikau, An Arawa Chieftainess. together works some fine examples of work by Sir Peter Siddell, Felxi Kelly, Peter McIntyre and many others.

An rare collection relating to the Pink & White Terraces, destroyed by the Eurption of Tarawera in 1886, is also offered - it includes painting by Charles Blomfield, J C Hoyte and others but also the largest collection of Terraces Geological Samples ever to be sold as one lot - All of which come from a home on the shores of Lake Tarawera and complete impeccable provenance.

A wonderful catalogue with a diverse range of quality artworks is in preparation.

Entries for the sale close 24 October. Auction to be held 20 November and on view daily from 16 October.

Contact Richard Thomson richard@artcntr.co.nz Mobile 0274 751 071