KEY POINTS:
Auction, said Art+Object director Ross Millar in the Herald last month, is "theatre and drama on the night". And it certainly was when the self-described "21st century auction house" had its first sale last Thursday.
A packed house, eager buyers, frequent and generous applause, plenty of action, a dozen artist records and even that prime indicator of Auckland social cachet, the presence of luminaries from Shortland Street, made for a grand opening night.
With just over 120 lots on offer, 25 sold over the higher estimate and one in six were sold subject.
On the art side, sales (including subjects) totalled $691,700 (before buyer's premium and GST); the total for objects was $139,100. With premiums and GST, the grand total was just under $950,000 - a successful night by anyone's standards.
The artworks on sale were all produced about or after 1990. Top price of $55,000 ($62,733 with premium and GST) went for Bill Hammond's Restoration, an oil and enamel reworking of a four-panel Oriental screen. Hammond's exquisite little Waiting for Buller fetched $40,000 ($45,624).
Works by Michael Parekowhai proved popular, with his paua-inlaid Tua Iwa guitar from the Patriot Ten Guitars suite reaching a record $35,000 and a giant photographic print Portrait of Ed Brown $15,000 (top price for an editioned photograph).
There were gasps when Stephen Bambury's Here I Give Thanks (Chakra) soared above the top estimate of $40,000 to hit a record $47,500 ($54,178) and a cool, untitled oil on board by Simon Kaan hit $25,000 ($28,515), against a top estimate of $20.000. Why/Why not?, a big work by Seraphine Pick, went for $33,000 ($37,640).
One of the few works by an overseas artist, the delightful Blanket Shark by Victorian Ricky Swallow, made an international record of $38,000 ($44,342).
Other artists who achieved record personal prices included Gavin Hurley, Saskia Leek, Liz Maw, Judy Millar, Sam Mitchell, Sung Yul Oh, Heather Straka, Ronnie van Hout, Brendon Wilkinson and Rohan Wealleans.
Next week may pose a problem for auction-goers. Tuesday sees sales by Cordy's (9.30am and 5pm), Dunbar Sloane (11am and 3pm) and Webb's (6.30pm). Webb's sale includes works by John Gully, Frances Hodgkins, Mark Cross and Lois White, and Sloane's has a fine work by John Pule.
On the increasingly active - and competitive - Auckland scene, Dunbar Sloane has bought a building just off the top of Dominion Rd to convert into what he says will be the best rooms in Auckland.
It's a big investment for the long-established Wellington-based firm and demonstrates a long-term commitment by the Dunbars, father and son.
The second rare Royal Doulton Maori chief character jug sold at Cordy's for $34,000, against $65,000 for the first. In one of those triumphs of coincidence - or collecting - the buyer was the under-bidder on the first jug, while last month's under-bidder bought the first one. If at first you don't succeed ...
Coming up:
* Monday, May 14: Dunbar Sloane, artefacts and New Zealand historical.
* Tuesday, May 15: Cordy's, antiques/art. Dunbar Sloane, collectables; fine art. Webb's, traditional New Zealand and foreign art.
* Wednesday, May 16: Webb's, jewellery.
* Thursday, May 17: Webb's, decorative arts.
* Saturday, May 19: Webbs (Penrose), retro collectables.
* Thursday, May 24: Art+Object, new collectors (under $5000).
* Saturday, May 26: Art+Object, artefacts and antiques.
* Thursday, May 31: Webb's, photography.
