Webb’s Auction House
New Zealand’s Premier Auction House
Top 10 highlights for 2013
2013
YEAR IN REVIEW Increased activity across Webb’s markets for collectable assets saw a year-on-year increase of 20% in turnover and an impressive total of 33,000 transactions completed in 2013. An overall increase in the quality of the supply and engagement from collectors in specialist fields encouraged firm competition, which is forecast to continue into the 2014 season. Webb’s online market engagement now reaches well beyond the shores of Aotearoa. Our catalogues, in both hard copy and digital form, present a global view of New Zealand’s markets for cultural, collectable commodities. There are, on average, 12,000 unique visits per week to our website, and 2014 will be characterised by a continued growth of Webb’s online development as collectors utilise the convenience and efficiency of our current online services. We are excited, also, to announce that 2014 will see the launch of a range of new online and mobile services that will reflect current best practice in our field. Webb’s total sell-through rate for 2013 also improved to an impressive 77.26%. This market-leading result reflects a combination of specialist marketing strategies, ethical pricing practices and excellent client services. The jewellery market saw continued interest in larger and high-grade diamonds, antique jewels and collectable timepieces. With a new jewellery team led by Zora Bell Boyd and Anna Carr Webb’s jewellery services changed pace in 2013 with a focus on presenting the market with a more curated offering of fashionable and desirable product. Extended marketing channels were employed, both on and offline, alongside a greater range of sales platforms including a comprehensive private sales service and a social auction platform for the largely untapped Facebook audience. The Interiors: Decorative Arts and Design
department, led by James Hogan, hit new heights with the remarkable record sale of a pair of 19th-century carved rhinoceros horns. Capturing an international audience, this was followed by the sale of two further pieces of rhinoceros horn, which resulted in an extraordinary average across the top 10 prices for the department of $101,968. Blurring the line between old and new, Webb’s modern design sales satisfy an increasing demand for quality, mid-20th-century furniture and home-ware by named designers. In 2013, our Modern Design department, led by Josh Williams, collaborated with the team at Mr. Bigglesworthy and held tightly curated sales of high-quality, market-fresh, imported mid-century modern design, which was snapped up by enthusiasts. Heading Webb’s Fine Wine department, Simon Ward continues to work with the very best collections of cellared wines assembled in New Zealand. Leveraging Webb’s online presence, 2013 saw a marked increase in online bidding with more than 50% of all winning bids now originating from online customers. While 2012 saw a surge of demand for Polynesian fishing technology, the 2013 market for Oceanic artefacts might be remembered for a focus on Maori pieces with palpable age and genuine patina, and rare pieces that seldom become available to collectors. Our specialist, Jeff Hobbs, secured a number of fine pieces through our international client base and ensured the repatriation of significant works for the benefit of our New Zealand collectors.
What the classic car and vintage motorcycle market lacked in supply it made up for in quality with two relatively small offerings attracting good results across the year. In late March 2014, Webb’s will hold its inaugural Wanaka event in partnership with the Warbirds & Wheels museum. With some remarkable items already confirmed as part of the sale, entries are now limited. Three large and impressive private collections of New Zealand studio ceramics were offered in 2013 by Webb’s head of valuations Brian Wood, a specialist in this field. In late March and in association with Bethunes at Webb’s, Brian will present The Gibson Collection of Orders, Decorations and Medals and in April Brian will curate another sale of New Zealand ceramics. Brian travelled New Zealand extensively throughout the year servicing the valuation requirements of the nation’s leading public galleries and cultural institutions. With significant shifts in the insurance landscape, Webb’s valuation department has enjoyed a very active year including commissions from Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Art Gallery. On behalf of the greater Webb’s team, we thank you for your continued interest and engagement with Webb’s and the markets we support. All the very best for 2014.
Neil Campbell CEO