End of Year Highlights
Posted on 20 December 2013
A+O has finished the year in a flurry with auctions in October, November and December which totalled final quarter sales of $2.8 million of art, rare books, modern design, Asian art and New Zealand artifacts. We have had a busy final week with both numerous final post auction and private sales and a number of superb consignments for 2014 not the least of which is the magnificent Kahu huruhuru you see pictured on the screen. We are pleased to report total sales of $10 million for the calendar year and a number of notable sales and achievements for the year including the highest price at auction for a 20th century painting (also recorded by A+O in 2012 and 2011) for Gordon Walters stunning 1971 canvas Tautahi which realised $439 684 and the highest art auction total of $2.2 million recorded in April. Final sales for the year have also resulted in art sales reaching the milestone of $40 million since the formation of the company in 2007. A+O also recorded new auction records for artists including Gordon Walters, Pat Hanly, Andrew McLeod and Rita Angus in 2013.
These are the numbers that tell us that our market is in good health and they have been achieved by literally hundreds of collectors across many fields - Modern Design, Asian Art, Rare Books, and New Zealand ceramics have all experienced solid to excellent growth this year. It is our clients, many of whom after seven years we count as good friends, who drive our business and enable us to enjoy the successes outlined above. New Zealanders are passionate students and followers of our unique culture. The staff and directors of A+O have the good fortune to engage with our collector clients on a regular basis during our exhibitions and viewings. We are fortunate that they are forthright and acute observers of what we do in our space within the culture of the day. We have no need for market research as our clients give us constant feedback on what they like and enjoy and when we have missed step. We welcome all feedback, positive and negative. Your support for our catalogues inspires us to always look for improvements.
The team at A+O, Hamish, Ben, James, Leigh, Pam, Giulia, Oleg and Georgi wish to thank our clients for their support and dialogue in 2013. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year after a Christmas and holiday period we trust will be merry, safe and full of fun and great memories.
Please note that ART+OBJECT will be closed from December 21 and will be re-opening on January 16 2014.
Illustrated:
Fine kahu huruhuru late 19th century muka, kiwi, white kereru, tui, orange and brown kaka feather.
1040 x 1400mm
$17,000 - $25,000
To be put to auction in late April 2014
