Oceanic & African Arts Set New Record Prices

Webb’s foundation, standalone sale in the specialist collecting fields of Oceanic and African Arts saw total sales of over $830,000. Unprecedented in New Zealand, the sale included a wonderful array of material predominantly from Maori and Pacific cultures. Competition between collectors, dealers and institutions resulted in sensational results throughout. Entries are currently invited for another sale in the category to be held in late 2010.

They came from far and wide to view the sale, with many making the effort to attend from abroad. In an international context the sale was extraordinary for its variety, quality and the superb provenance of many pieces. The Maori section of the sale was certainly the focus for local collectors who welcomed a new setting and approach to their chosen field of interest. With carved taonga including ancestral figures and wakahuia, adzes, adornments, weapons and cloaks on offer, new and seasoned collectors alike were compelled to compete for the best pieces.

A record price for an adze blade was set when the massive, prestigious toki (lot 230) achieved $25,100. The Huia feather which adorned the front cover of the catalogue also caught the imagination of collectors setting a world record price of $8,500 for a feather.  New benchmark prices were also set for Pa kahawai (fishhooks) and kete, with several doubling expectations. Both important wakahuia (treasure boxes) sold for fair prices, with the early stone tooled taonga (lot 341) and the transitional kumete (lot 343) for selling $46,800 and $29,200 respectively

The superb Polynesian and Melanesian pieces in the sale attracted competition from international collectors. Standout pieces which sold well include the rare Tongan whalebone chest plate (lot 100) which achieved $23,500, and the Fijian War Club (lot 101) which sold for $32,700.

There proved to be excellent buying for astute collectors of Aboriginal pieces with many lots achieving their lower estimates. The swan neck boomerangs were recognised as rare and found their values accordingly. The Aboriginal churinga, whilst rare, proved too contentious for most collectors who chose not to acquire these early, sacred, right-of-passage objects with the majority selling to a single private collector the next day.
International interest also consolidated around the African section. Highlights included the Guru mask (lot 429) selling for $8,800, the Luba ‘Kifwebe’ mask (lot 425) achieving $12,900, and the exquisite Dan mask (lot 424) selling under the hammer for $4,900.

It is wonderful to have received international acknowledgment from respected publications such as Tribal Art magazine and a range of international newspapers whose attention we captured through the success of the sale. Thank you to all those who have supported Webb’s both in the preparation of this event and in actively participating in the sale.

The sale overall confirmed that the market for each genre offered by Webb’s is well informed and keen to acquire quality works within a fresh and transparent setting. If there was one criticism it was that there were too many quality pieces for collectors to choose from, making their buying decisions difficult. Taking this on board, our next sale will traverse the same level of quality but within a tighter more select offering. Please contact us if you are interesting in working with us on the next sale.