Decorative Arts
Decorative Arts
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.
Upcoming Live Auction
Material Culture
Live Auction | Monday 26 May, 6.30pm
On View | 21—26 May
We are currently accepting post auction offers on those objects that didn't quite make reserve on our last Material Culture auction, and there are some exquisite, conversation-starting examples that would enrich any existing, or budding collection.
Items include artworks and crafts that show the mastery and resourcefulness of indigenous artists and which imbue multi-generational knowledge.
Our department specialists are under instructions to take—on a first come-first-served basis—any realistic offer to our vendors, and negotiate on your behalf. This is an unbeatable opportunity to assume guardianship of objects with deep historical and cultural significance.
Take a look through the catalogue and make a post auction offer now.
Leah Morris
Head of Decorative Arts
Upcoming Online Auction
Material Culture Online
Online Auction | 26—30 June
Entries are invited for our upcoming Material Culture June online auction. As 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 art forms that show the mastery and resourcefulness of artists that imbue multi-generational knowledge.
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 & Applied Arts
Online Auction | 19—25 August
Our Design Online & Applied Arts auctions see exceptional sales of iconic New Zealand and international furniture, lighting, industrial designs and ceramics from the mid-19th century through to today.
Our Decorative Arts specialists are currently accepting consignments for the next iteration of this stylish sale. 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, 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.
Leah Morris
Head of Decorative Arts
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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.Before coming to Webb’s in 2021, Leah’s most recent tenure was working as a Collection Technician at the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira for Human History in which she researched and catalogued the Social History, Applied Arts and Design, and World collections.
This experience shines through in her role as Head of Department where she expertly leads specialist Decorative Arts sales with utmost care and consideration for the full client experience.
Leah has a particular interest in Material Culture and has set the benchmark for curating record-breaking sales. She is particularly interested in West African art, taonga, and indigenous art, as well as 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.
