Decorative Arts
The Decorative
Arts Department
Webb’s Decorative Arts Department offers excellent knowledge and curation of a range of fascinating objects. Our online and live auctions present decorative arts covering a wide array of periods and styles from rare and designer furniture and home accents, applied arts, indigenous art and material culture, select single owner collections, and more.
Current Online Auction
Artifacts: From the Collection of John Perry
Online Auction | 15 – 21 January
Webb’s is kicking off the 2025 auction calendar in delightfully eclectic style, with the second instalment of Artifacts: From the Collection of John Perry now open for bidding.
John Perry was legendary in the New Zealand art and auction scene—well known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of local and international art, as well as his charming personality. He was also an enduring friend of Webb’s, attending countless auctions over decades, from our earliest days in 1970s right through to 2021, shortly before he passed away. As well as holding important roles as Curator of the Rotorua City Art Gallery, and then Director of the Rotorua Museum, John is most remembered for being an avid collector.
Featuring items hand-selected by John Perry, this auction serves as testament to his collector's acumen, singular taste and ability to recognise originality. Eclectic and unique, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain one-of-a-kind objects at affordable prices.
This online auction includes a vibrant selection of items spanning art, folk art, material culture, collectibles, applied arts, and more. Highlights include flat works by self-taught artists such as Joseph Alach, Dick Lyne, and Teuane Tibbo, as well as a charming selection of wooden folk art.
The sale is on view in our Mount Eden gallery, and we encourage you to come and view this incredible curation in person.
Florence S. Fournier
Specialist, Decorative Arts
Upcoming Live Auction
Material Culture
Live Auction | March
Entries are invited for our upcoming Material Culture auctions. A celebration of indigenous art, we are seeking quality examples of carvings, textiles, personal adornments, tools, ceramics, metal work and others of similar rich cultural heritage.
These sales bring together outstanding selections of artforms that show the mastery and resourcefulness of artists that imbue multi-generational knowledge.
After the sale of the world record breaking huia feather which achieved 15 times over its estimated price, we look forward to presenting another exceptional offering to a market eager to acquire at all levels.
For more information about buying and selling at our upcoming Material Culture auctions, get touch with our specialist team.
Leah Morris
Head of Decorative Arts
Upcoming Online Auction
Design Online
Online Auction | 4 – 10 February
Our Design Online auctions see exceptional sales of iconic New Zealand and international furniture, lighting and design objects from the mid-20th century through to today.
We are currently accepting consignments for the next iteration of this stylish sale, taking place next year.
Highly sought after are items that display a mastery of form, expressed through beautiful materials and meticulous craftsmanship by local and international designers These auctions are keenly followed by fans of interior design, professional decorators and designers, architects and stylists, as well as anyone with an interest in homes, commercial interiors, and the objects that populate them.
We are currently accepting consignments of furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, design objects, and applied arts. If you have an item you would live to bring to market, please contact our team of experts for an obligation-free appraisal.
Florence S. Fournier
Specialist, Decorative Arts
The Decorative Arts Department
Webb’s Decorative Arts Department offers excellent knowledge and curation of a range of fascinating objects.
Our online and live auctions present decorative arts covering a wide array of periods and styles from rare and designer furniture and home accents, applied arts, indigenous art and material culture, select single owner collections, and more. We have consistently seen high returns as more and more people look to the secondary market for unique and hard-to-find pieces.
We are continuing to see a strong demand for quality decorative arts, in particular mid-century modern furniture and postmodern design, showing the enduring value of considered craftsmanship within the secondary market. Our quarterly premium Design sales have proved immensely popular with both emerging and seasoned collectors alike, bringing together the best of the best from local and international designers. We are delighted to regularly handle design heavyweights such as Michel Ducaroy, Eames, Garth Chester, and Charlotte Perriand.
With a dedicated client base following our Material Culture auctions closely, we are reliably seeing incredible returns. One of our most notable recent sale results was the world record-breaking sale of a single huia feather, selling for $46,521 and breaking the previous world record by 450%. It is a privilege to be entrusted as temporary kaitiakitanga of these pieces and to showcase such a high calibre of taonga and indigenous art from around the world. It has been exciting to bring these important catalogues to life and achieve such phenomenal results.
These outstanding outcomes are testament to the unparalleled passion and commitment of our specialist team.
Head of Decorative Arts
Leah Morris
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Leah studied at the University of Auckland earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Ancient History in 2015. In 2017 she graduated with an Honours in Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage and is currently completing her Master’s degree.
Before coming to Webb’s Leah’s most recent tenure was working as a Collection Technician at the Auckland Museum – Tamaki Paenga Hira for Human History in which she researched and catalogued the Social History, Applied Arts and Design, and World collections.
Leah has a particular interest in West African art, Taonga, and New Zealand studio pottery and glass.
Florence S. Fournier
Specialist, Decorative Arts
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Florence S. Fournier is a specialist in our Decorative Arts department. With a background in mid-century modern furniture and boutique brands, Florence has a developed a deep appreciation for enduring design principles.
In her role at Webb's, Florence's expertise shines in exhibition installations and photoshoot styling, earning her recognition as a rising star in the New Zealand auction scene. Florence is particularly interested in discovering rare designs with exceptional provenance.
Having a background in marketing combined with deep knowledge and years of experience in decorative arts, Florence consistently creates compelling narratives that resonate with discerning collectors.
Florence's enthusiasm for beautiful objects and keen eye for design make her an invaluable asset to the team at Webb's.
