Budget-conscious auction buyers should get ready to take a punt

Webb's began the sale year with what it terms a new category of sales, titled A2, bringing together its affordable arts, jewellery and decorative arts with some new features.

The first sale had extra sections on 20th-century design, New Zealand pottery and ceramics, and pop culture. Close on 2000 lots were offered last week, with high interest in almost all categories.

In the art, Dick Frizzell continued upwards with his 1984 screenprints Grocer with moko (2004) selling for $2600, Red Herring II (2003) for $1900, and Pop Duck (2002) for $1800.

Interestingly, all three of these prints appear in the International Art Centre's 200-lot sale on March 17.

Webb's sale again showed prices well up and down against the pre-sale estimates - a feature even more apparent at the subsequent New Zealand pottery sale.

Of the 230 works in the sale, 26 exceeded the higher estimate and 30 were passed in. Nearly a quarter sold "subject" - for buyers and vendors to reach agreement - proof that buyers need not be scared off by estimates beyond their budgets but should be prepared to take a punt by offering a price, however unrealistic it may seem on the night.

The pottery sale was marked by a big selection from Len Castle, with a top price of $4000 for a stoneware floor vase. But again, many pieces were sold subject or passed in.

A good selection of Mirek Smisek pottery, some produced for Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings saga, sometimes also struggled to reach vendor expectations for some items. Such works sell better in Wellington. Auckland buyers, who are happy to pay $6000, $8000 or $10,000 for relatively ordinary works by well-known artists, seem reluctant to dig into their pockets for fine pieces by top potters. Will their time come, or will the market for New Zealand pottery, like that for New Zealand photography, take years to develop?

Dunbar Sloane's April sale will include a vast collection of historical items, such as silver, gold and colonial furniture. Among the art works will be a self-portrait by Lionel "yellow peril" Terry, who in 1905, murdered an elderly Chinese in Wellington. Terry, who wanted to send all Chinese people home and Maori to be confined to Stewart Island and the Chathams, was sentenced to death. That was commuted to a life term, and he spent the rest of his life in mental hospitals.

Webb's and Sloane's will incorporate a 12.5 per cent buyer's premium this year. With GST on the premium, that's an extra 14.06 per cent on the hammer price. Cordy's and the International Art Centre will keep their premium 10 per cent, with GST, that's 11.25 per cent on the selling price.

Coming up:

Dunbar Sloane's artefact auction at 11am today has a scary Melanesian skull rack - yours for $2500 to $4000 - plus 300 more items.

The International Art Centre's investment sale is on March 17 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, viewing at 272 Parnell Rd from today. Collectable art is on May 29.

Cordy's next art and antiques catalogue sale is on March 22.

Webb's first big art, jewellery and decorative arts sale is between April 5 and 7. The next A2 sale will be between May 17 to 19.

Dunbar Sloane's sale is on April 6 and 7. A contemporary art sale is planned for May 4, with historical art on May 25.