Art

Following a year of global uncertainty, 2025 hails a renewed optimism in the art market, as our first Works of Art auction for the year delivered some remarkable results.

It was a rare honour to uncover Charles Frederick Goldie’s first masterpiece Souvenirs from the Field of Battle, painted when the artist was just 19 years of age. The work foreshadowed Goldie’s technical virtuosity—which he would go on to perfect in later years—and achieved just shy of $90,000 at auction.

We were also thrilled to bring to market Robyn Kahukiwa’s Girl in a Bush Shirt, which was presented in the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s landmark exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art. The painting was highly sought after by bidders, realising $52,580, more than double its low estimate. We are delighted that this significant artwork has been acquired for a distinguished public collection, securing a permanent home in Aotearoa for widespread audiences to enjoy.

Other highlights include Paul Dibble’s majestic bronze sculpture, Bouquet of Bird and Flowers($215,100) and study for Long Horizon($31,070); Allen Maddox’s Untitled ($44,215); Michael Illingworth’s Tawera as Adam and Eve($47,800); and Don Binney’s Te Henga ($60,945) which achieved a new record for the artist’s works on paper, testifying to the enduring legacy of these important practitioners.

For those artworks that did not reach their reserve, please reach out to our specialist team to make a post auction offer.