Hodgkins paintings sell to collector for $A86,000

Media release – March 30, 2006
NZ’s Frances Hodgkins paintings sell to Sydney collector for $A86,000

Two rare and highly prized paintings by great New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins sold for more than $A86,000 under the hammer at Bonhams and Goodman auction in Sydney last night.

Auctioneer Tim Goodman said it had been speculated that the Hodgkins’ works would go to a New Zealand bidder but they both sold to a local Sydney collector with a particular interest in female artists.

Blackberry and Apple, a Hodgkins watercolour and pencil still life, sold for $A26,300 and Harbour, South of France(1946), fetched $A59,750.

``The buyer who preferred anonymity was thrilled with his purchases,’’ Goodman said from Sydney today.

The unearthed Hodgkins paintings were recently discovered around the same time in the UK by complete coincidence.

Bonhams and Goodman hold the Australia record ($A175,000) for a Hodgkins, while Webbs in Auckland holds the NZ record of more than $400,000.

New Zealand publicly listed company Mowbrays own a 20 percent stake in Bonhams and Goodman who are the second biggest auction house in Australia following the recent announcement Christie’s are pulling out of Australia.

Bonhams and Goodman achieved spectacular results during its six days of public viewing and auctions which ended last night.
Goodman said the March auctions were the largest group of mixed vendor sales ever conducted at the one time in Australia. More than 20,000 people attended the six days of public viewings and auctions.
The auction produced huge results such as a
1969 Toyota 2000GT car which has sold for a world record price of $A234,300.

A ritual drinking cup made from a human skull sold for $A24,000, ten times the estimate. An 18th century bracket clock has sold for $A66,000 believed to be an Australian auction record.

A NSW Number Plate “911”sold for $A97,000 a new auction record for a low 3 digit plate. A 19th century Italian Marble Statue of Cleopatra sold for $96,000 against an estimate of $10,000-15,000.

ENDS

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