Webb’s is pleased to announce that, in 2011, we sold more art by value through auction than did any of our competitive colleagues and transacted significantly more total sales by value than did any other auction house. Webb’s also secured the highest number of sales of over $100,000, 37% ahead of the nearest competitor in the fine art field and a staggering 67% ahead across all of the markets. Webb’s also convincingly outperformed all other auction houses in the fields of jewellery, fine wine, Oceanic arts and vintage automobiles. 2011 saw Webb’s turnover increase by 15% for the second year running, affirming confidence in the future of the markets served by our company. The auction market over the year was characterised by moderate but promising activity with a greater number of high-value art transactions having taken place in 2011 than the previous year. One would have expected uncertain economic forecasts to curb investment in cultural assets such as art, jewellery and antiques. In practice, collectors have continued to collect although buyers have become more discerning. Increased knowledge on the part of collectors has driven enthusiasm for the best of the best across all genres. Careful consideration of quality, condition and provenance has resulted in a more sophisticated, mature and stable market. Entries are currently invited for sales to be held in February and March 2012, including the first sale of Important Paintings and Contemporary Art to be held in late March. To all our clients and associates, Webb’s thanks you for your support over 2011 and wishes you all the very best for 2012.
Cover: Don Binney Kotare Over Ratana Church, Te Kao Realised: $303,750
2011 in review
entries now invited Bethunes at Webb’s Rare Books Fine & Rare Wine A2 Art Fine Jewellery & Watches Antiques & Modern Design Classic Motorcycles and Cars of the Day Important Works of Art Oceanic and African Arts Antiques & Modern Design
New Zealand’s Premier Auction House 18 Manukau Road Newmarket, Auckland +649 524 6804 auctions@webbs.co.nz www.webbs.co.nz
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2011 Highlights Contact: Sophie Coupland scoupland@webbs.co.nz or +64 21 510 876
Gottfried Lindauer Ihakara Tukumaru $177,000
Bill Hammond Choreograph Screen $166,000
Charles Frederick Goldie The Nest $171,600
Don Binney Tui Over The Anawhata $145,000
Dick Frizzell Apollinaire At 21 From An Age When Art Seemed Much More Fun $30,900
Peter Siddell Western Balcony $100,000
Fiona Pardington Taranaki Heitiki with Mussel Shell Eyes, Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum $10,000
Colin McCahon Kaipara Flat with a Blue Sky (1) $91,500
Francis Upritchard Brown Sloth Creature $22,900
Pat Hanly Golden Age 3 with White Butterfly $137,250