Now Closed For The Christmas Break

We are now closed for the Christmas break until early January.  All the very best for the festive season and I look forward to hearing from you in 2013. 

Christmas Hours and South Island Tour

Here at Antique and Art we are treating ourselves to an early closing at Christmas this year.  We are down to Christchurch on 14th December and will be back after a tour of Oamaru's historic precinct three days into the New Year.  If you are in Christchurch / Oamaru / Geraldine and need something looked at I am more than happy to incorporate you in my plans.  Email me at erika@antiqueandart.co.nz  or call 021 166 4034. 

Vase Stolen From Alberton

This vase is being sought by the NZ Historic Places, and is believed to have been taken between 30th Aug and 19th Oct from Alberton, Mt Albert, Auckland. 

It is approximately 28 cm tall and labelled with the accession number XAH.Y.53.

If you have any information which could assist in its recovery, please contact Rebecca Apperley on 04 472 4341.

The Historic Places have had a bad time lately with vandalism of properties and theft of items and money.  If you would like to donate to help click here.

Fake Fur Coat Sets Auction Record

 

This 1934 Austin Reed mohair plush ‘teddy’ coat sold for a grand total of £20,400 at Kerry Taylors Vintage Clothing auction in London.  

"The auction room was stunned into silence (apart from the gasps of disbelief from those attending) as the bids rose rapidly from the low hundreds (estimate £200-300) to the final hammer fall of £17,000.

The coat had been bought twenty years ago by the vintage-loving vendor as a present for her husband who had refused to wear it. It had been languishing in a wardrobe ever since, as her by now grown-up sons also refused to wear it. The owner, who lives in Cheshire watched the auction live over the internet with members of her family who were ‘jumping up and down’ as the gavel finally fell. She said that she was ‘stunned and still in shock’, and it was a good job her husband hadn’t liked it!"

Lindauer Portrait Mystery

The Lindauer painting of Kewene Te Haho with direct descendants, 10 years ago. From left, Clinton Kewene and his son Joshua, 3, Mabel Kewene (the chief is her great, great grandfather), and Albert Kewene at Waikato Museum of Art and History. Caption copied from stuff website.

This portrait of Kewene Te Haho sold at auction for $120,000 in 2001 is being investigated as a fake. 
It was the third most expensive Lindauer portrait sold at auction.
Read the story here. From Stuff.co.nz via Waikato Times.
(I assume that is Peter Webb at Webb's auctions rather than Peter Wells?)

Renoir Found in Box Lot Withdrawn From Auction

The Art Daily Newsletter reports that the Renoir found recently in a box lot in America was stolen in 1951.  Read full article here.

In Wellington Until Wednesday 26th September

Please note:  I am out of the office until Wednesday 26th of September.  I will contact you as soon as I return as I will only be able to check my emails intermittently.  In my absence please feel free to email me with your questions and queries.

Fashion Treasures Exhibition at Highwic

Amateur Restoration Job Goes Wrong

Art Daily Newspaper

An elderly Spanish woman's restoration job has horrified and amused people around the world.   The message to the story is leave it to the professionals!

AFP PHOTO/ CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS BORJANOS.

Marsden Hall Antiques To Sell Stock No Reserve No Buyers Premium

David Holroyd owner of Marsden Hall Antiques in Taupo is selling all stock by auction this weekend.  Viewing is from Thursday until Saturday and the auction is on Sunday at 11am.  If you are in the region it would be worth a look.  All is being sold no reserve and without a buyer's premium.  A+O is auctioneering so download your catalogue at their website here.

Photographs Sell Well At Auction

A+O's recent photography auction has realised two record prices at auction.  Lot 9 - Parekowhai's 'Passchendaele' sold for $20,560 (incl BP) and Lot 15 Laurence Aberhart's beautiful 'Taranaki ( The Heavens Declare the Glory of God)' sold for $12,580 (incl BP).  Proving New Zealand photography is going from strength to strength. 

Jane Austen's Ring Sells Well In London

A gold and turquoise ring belonging author Jane Austen, sold for £152,450 – more than five times its pre-sale high estimate of £20,000-30,000.  The previously unknown ring was sold by Sotheby's in London by descendants who had looked after it for 200 years. 

Why Antique Furniture is Worth It

"Anyone who buys a high quality piece has the satisfaction of knowing that they're investing money, not just spending it." "You can buy a beautiful 18th Century oak table for less than you might spend on a modern, mass produced piece"  Matthew Paton of Christie's speaking of antique furniture.

 Elle Decoration January 2012 pg 75

Faberge Box Goes Back To London

**Wartski of London have been named as the purchaser of the box.  Wartski are expert dealers in Faberge and their Managing Director Geoffrey Munn is an Antique Roadshow regular.

The Lapis Faberge box sold last night for $78,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 - $20,000.  The box which featured on television as well as other media, attracted international attention.  Its origins have been traced back to its purchase (by a Faberge expert) in London by a Prince Kinsky on Christmas Eve 1910.  How it then came to arrive in New Zealand and then end up in a box lot at Webb's as still a mystery.

New Breakthrough in Cloak Restoration

Textile conservator Rangi Te Kanawa (pictured above) has been working with the Victoria University
Chemistry Department to find a process to stabilise acids that cause deterioration of korowai.  Article from NZ Herald here.

Expert Advice : Sell Your Stamps!

SELL "Stamps.  The market is bouyant but it is an ageing one and new collectors may not come into it in sufficient numbers to maintain values".  Elizabeth Chilcott (Partner in Chilcotts Auctioneers & Valuers, Devon) pg. 112 BBC Homes & Antiques June 2012.

More Chinese Sleepers at Auction

Lot 586 Pair of Hardwood Carved Armchairs est. $500-800

Lot 589 and 590 Two Huang Lee wood Cabinets est. $450 - 500 each

Two huge performers at Webb's antique sale last week were the above lots: 

The armchairs estimated at $500-800 sold for an astounding $24,000. 
The cabinets estimated at $450-500 each sold for $11,000 and $10,250 respectively.

The Law That Protects Our National Treasures

The latest Sunday Star Times has a detailed article about the complexities of the Protected Objects Act.  Read it here.

A Weekend Antique Fair For Mercy Hospice

Diamond Jubilee Weekend

I hope you are at least having a celebratory afternoon tea with your antique tea service.

Vintage Brooch Cover From Viva

Here is the great cover from Viva in the NZ Herald yesterday.  To read the article about the Ms Donoghue's Mother Brooch Collection read here.

Huia Feathers Stolen From Museum

This was just reported in the National Services Newsletter:

"At the end of March, some huia feathers were stolen from Dannevirke Gallery of History. Approximately 10 tail feathers were taken – they are white-tipped and in pristine condition, and date from about 1889. Museums and potential buyers, if you come across these feathers for sale or anywhere else, please contact your nearest police station. It goes without saying that Dannevirke Gallery of History would very much like to have these taonga returned."

Lanvin Dress Found for £70 is Star Lot at Kerry Taylor

Kerry Taylor auctions are increasingly becoming the most successful fashion auctioneers.  They have recently reached record prices for Amy Winehouse's dress and the replica of Princess Diana's wedding dress.  The star piece in their last sale was this rare Lanvin dress found at a market in poor condition and purchased for £70.  After a professional clean and some research into its history, it sold for £7,200.  The dress is rare, dating from 1945 just a year before Jeanne Lanvin's death.  The curveous hip sillouhette was formed from horse hair panniers.  It sold to an European collector.

Easter Holidays

Please note I will be out of the office until Tuesday 17th of April for an extended Easter holiday.  I will be checking my emails between those dates.  Travel safe if you are heading out of town!

Out of the Office

Zandra Rhodes designed wesdding dress 1976

In Wellington for the weekend for the Te Papa Unveiled exhibition.  Read their great blog featuring more beautiful dresses here.

Free Public Seminar On Protecting Your Treasures

National Services and EQC present a free seminar on protecting your treasures in your home from a natural disaster.  Vicki Humphrey is Head of Conservation at the National Museum of Australia.  She will impart her knowledge on such areas as:

Ways to manage risks to collections in private ownership

Likelihood and consequences of incidents that could threaten your treasures

Understanding how you can care for your treasures

Treating risks to your collections – what are the costs and benefits?

Prioritising treatments – what could you do first?

Location:

Auckland - March 18, 1pm-2pm at Voyager Maritime Museum

Wellington - March 22nd 6.30-7.30 Te Papa Classroom 4

Chinese Sleeper Fetches $25,000

This large Chinese rice bowl in blue and white sold at Webb's against competitive bidding.  It steamed past its estimate of $800 to sell for a rather handsome $25,000.  It is nice to see the Chinese sleeper still out in the market place. 

The Two Mona Lisa's Side By Side

Scott's Ill-Fated Journey In Pictures

The Guardian have a selection of photographs to mark the 100th year of Scott's ill fated journey to be the first to the South Pole.  It includes a few of Ponting's beautifully haunting stills of the ice.  Click here to see more.

Hawkins & Scuffell Window

Hawkins & Scuffell are Auckland's newest antique shop.  Located at 236 Jervois Road, Herne Bay.
Featured in their window at the moment are: a carved French gilt 19th C mirror, a rare 19th C Egyptian Revival metal wash stand, a bronzed and gilt late 19th C table lamp and a late 19th C mahogany Gainsborough chair.