About us
Art+Object is the country’s leading auction house, offering regular specialist catalogues of New Zealand and international historical, modern and contemporary art and applied art.
Art+Object was founded in early 2007 with the goal to bring a more contemporary voice to the Australasian auction scene. Directors Leigh Melville and Ben Plumbly bring decades of experience in the art and auction worlds together with significant business and professional achievements. Art+Object has pioneered the presentation of contemporary art and objects in an auction context; our very first auction set this direction and received great support from New Zealand collectors. Art+Object Directors are regular contributors to industry journals, public speakers, guest auctioneers, media commentators and have sat on peer review panels to public art institutions.
Art+Object holds ten to twelve auctions per annum. These are distinguishable by virtue of their often distinct theme and approach, along with industry leading catalogue design, exhibition display and online marketing which includes regular video presentations, online bidding and live streaming of auctions. These catalogues can be found in the archive section of our website.
The Art+Object team has over fifty years’ experience providing valuation advice to New Zealand's leading institutions, public galleries, museums and libraries as well as to private collectors and estates. Please refer to the valuation section of our website for more information on the services Art+Object provides in these areas. Art+Object's directors and staff are collectors and art lovers in their own right and it is fair to say the company was founded by collectors for collectors. This has resulted in Art+Object becoming the leading New Zealand auction house for the sale of large and diverse private and corporate collections.
Major Collections Sold















- 2019
- 2019
- 2018
- 2018
- 2017
- 2017
- 2017
- 2016
- 2016
- 2015
The Collection of Dame Judith te Tomairangi o te Aroha Binney and Sebastian Black
- 2015
- 2013
- 2011
- 2011
- 2010
Our Team
Top Ten Lots










- 2016
Colin McCahon, The Canoe Tainui - price realised $1 621 687 *The highest price realised for an artwork at auction in New Zealand history.
- 2019
Charles Frederick Goldie, Takahi Atama Paparangi, A Rangatira of high lineage, Rarawa Tribe - price realised $816 815
- 2018
Rita Angus, Storm, Hawke’s Bay - price realised $696 695 *A record price for the artist at auction.
- 2018
Don Binney, Pastoral, Te Henga - price realised $684 685 *A record price for the artist at auction.
- 2019
Gordon Walters, Untitled - price realised $619 820 *A record price for the artist at auction.
- 2011
Colin McCahon, He Calls for Elias - price realised $570 315
- 2013
Gordon Walters, Tautahi - price realised $439 690
- 2012
Gordon Walters, Painting No 7 - price realised $433 825
- 2018
Don Binney, Summer Fernbird II - price realised $426 425
- 2019
Colin McCahon, The First Bellini Madonna - price realised $420 420