Merry Xmas (the wierdest present)

A couple of happy customers leave A+O with the wierdest Xmas present. In the back seat of their cabriolet a taxidemy kudu. Hard to wrap that one...

Arguably a record for Doulton Sung bowl

A few top quality pieces in our auction last week exceeded expectations but even we were surprised when a Royal Doulton Sung bowl decorated with ducks by Arthur Eaton sold for $21,500 plus premium against our published estimate of $6000-$9000. All our investigations had suggested we had it right but two determined overseas bidders on the phone from the UK and USA just didn't want to give up. One happy buyer, one disappointed underbidder, one delighted vendor...we'd like to think so...

Hammer Falls on Plumbly Treasures

Ben's parents, Trevor and Pam Plumbly auctioned their collections on Tuesday in Dundein. A+O's final sale for the year. James, Ross and Ben flew down to Dunedin after an epic week in Auckland to climb into the old Plumbly Auction Room rostrum to conduct a 7 and 1/2 hour sale!!!

The auction was front page news in the Otago Daily Times. The auction room was full to overflowing throughout the entire sale and the results were wonderful. Many buyers sought a little souvenir of what has been an Otago/Dunedin institution, whilst other serious collectors took advantage of some rare pieces appearing on the market from Trev's and Pam's personal collections

Oh no there goes the A+O tablecloth...

Elaine and Ross where just finishing dinner on Ponsonby Road when the fire engines started rolling out of the station to a massive blaze just down the road. Nellie Gow who has been helping out at A+O had just taken our lovely old damask tablecloth that we use on our front of house wine table for dry-cleaning at the Olympic. Buggar!

Record Price for Garth Chester Curvesse Chair

Wednesday night's 2oth Century Design sale featured many highlights, among which is what we believe to be a record price for one of Garth Chester's Curvesse Chairs. Perhaps New Zealand's most iconic piece of design, this particular example was in superb condition. With premium, the lucky private buyer paid $7070 in order to take it home. The sale was strong across the board, other highlights including $17 530 for the Frank Lloyd Wright designed table and chairs, the Ernst Plischke pendant lamps realised $3506 and the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman made $6545.

A Smorgasbord of Auctions

Tuesday Night 6:00pm - New Collectors' Art. Lots 1 - 259.

Wednesday Night 6:00pm - 20th C Design. Lots 260 - 638.

Thursday Night 6:00pm - The Decorators' Sale. Lots 650 - 968.

Against All Odds

Against all odds, our November 27th Important Paintings and In 3D: Sculpture sale was our best yet and our first million dollar sale. A packed house, spirited bidding and a high clearance rate meant many punters left the building more than a little pleasantly suprised about the seemingly robust state of the New Zealand Secondary art market. Highlights on the night included Michael Parekwohai's Kokowai setting a new auction record for the artist of $59 889, Paul Dibble's South Sea's Festival making an impressive $53 670, Toss Woollaston's McFedries Farm realising $35 358 and so on. The Goldie above sold for its reserve of $150 000 hammer two days after the sale as did both McCahon's; the North Otago for $57 500 and View from the Top of the Cliff for $75 000 hammer.