Six paintings by Charles Frederick Goldie consigned from the estate of Christchurch collector and benefactor Neil Graham, were worthy of their own standalone sale, which took place on Monday 25 March, 2024 at Art + Object in Auckland. Highest price was realised by Te Aho-o-te-Rangi Wharepu, a Noted Waikato Warrior (Lot 3 ), which realised $1,720,000 and set a new record price for the artist’s work at auction.
A+O put much care and consideration into the marketing and presentation of the works, including a well attended opening event with a karakia (traditional Maori welcome) and catalogue essays by Maori art historians alongside the usual European writers.
On auction night a good size crowd were in attendance, probably to watch the event itself rather than to bid, as most of the bidding came from the phone and the internet. Of the six paintings, two sold under the hammer, including Day Dreams (Lot 2 ) a late work dating from 1938 which had a loose, painterly style compared to the earlier portraits. This lot sold for $400,000 against low estimate of $450,000.
The remaining five paintings were sold subject to online and phone bidders at bids around $100,000 under the low estimate. Despite not transacting sales under the hammer, A+O made quick work of the post sales, sending out an email two days after the sale advising that all the works had been sold. Highest price was realised by Te Aho-o-te-Rangi Wharepu, a Noted Waikato Warrior (Lot 3 ), a magnificent large scale forward facing male portrait of which very few, if any like this remain in private hands. The painting realised $1,720,000 and set a new record price for the artist’s work at auction.
In total, Neil Graham’s collection of C.F Goldie paintings sold for $5,575,000 including buyers premium.
All prices quoted are hammer price in $NZ unless otherwise noted.
