4 & 5 March 2014 Auctions

A+O's first sale of the year has completed a hectic week with over 650 lots being offered and numerous sale highlights across the New Collectors/Asian Art/Modern Design/Studio Ceramics and Decorative Arts catalogues. The highlight of the week was the magnificent Kahu Huruhuru (lot 341), which was much admired for its rarity, design and quality. The striking design and combination of kaka, kereru and kiwi feathers indicated that this was a superior 19^th century Maori cloak of a quality usually found in public museum collections. At auction numerous bidders competed against an estimate of $15 000 - $30 000 with the cloak ultimately selling for $46 900.

The New Collectors sale on Tuesday was characterised by strong absentee and phone bidders competing with the bidders in the room. Top price on the night went to Toss Woollaston's oil on board McFedries Farm, Riwaka (lot 23) dating to 1981/2 which sold for $26 380. Other highlights included strong demand and pricing for works by Ruth Watson, Allen Maddox, Geoffrey Fairburn, Nigel Brown, Max Gimblett, Reuben Paterson, Don Driver, Don Peebles, Robert Ellis.

Wednesday night saw Asian Art commence with spirited bidding for a small group of bronzes. The Modern Design and Studio ceramics sections saw the star lots attract strong bidding as demand for the work of Len Castle continues unabated. A selection of highlights included:

1 - Terry Stringer $2345
7 - Peter Robinson $4690
15 - Jude Rae $11 725
20 - JS Parker $4690
23 - Toss Woollaston $26 380
26 - Ruth Watson $4570
32 - Allen Maddox $2110
38 - Gretchen Albrecht $3515
43 - SL Thompson $3280
55 - Max Gimblett $8205
61 - Reuben Paterson $5975
80 - Don Driver $4100
82 - Nigel Brown $12 660
84 - Don Peebles $6250
87 - Robert Ellis $7620
108 - Michael Smither $1524
238 - Tibetan bronze Tara $3045
309 - Samanid calligraphic bowl $2930
341 - 19^th century Kahu Huruhuru $46 900
415 - David Trubridge body raft $7970
441 - Jorgan Baekmark chairs $3750
446 - Charles and Ray Eames $5040
491 - Garry Nash Jelly Bean Jar $1875
530 - Len Castle crater $3985
545 - Christine Thacker Torso $4335
548 - Len Castle Volcano $5860
556 - Len Castle Red Lava bowl $2345
567 -John Parker Still Life Vessel $3750

All prices include buyer's premium and GST.