Submitted by aarAdmin on Mon, 09/14/2015 - 00:00
Peter Elliott’s comprehensive collection of fine Australian art, Australian indigenous art, Asian art, tribal art and artefacts, and European decorative arts built over a lifetime of travel realised more than $7 million over three days from Sunday August 30 to Tuesday September 1 through Mossgreen’s efforts in in Sydney.
Hundreds of bidders competed for the items and the fine art section in particular was a standout – realising $4.4 million, $2 million over the estimate.
According to Mossgreen chief executive officer Paul Sumner, the auction demonstrated the powerful effect the story of a private collector could have on an auction.
“It’s something we have seen many, many times, but the response in this auction and the story of Peter Elliott is unprecedented,” he said.
A major highlight was the catalogue cove lot – Brett Whiteley’s luminous The Arrival – A Glimpse in the Botanical Gardens – which sold for $793,000 including buyer’s premium and At the Bottom of the Park by the same artist that changed hands for $610,000.
William Robinson’s Birkdale Farm Construction with Australorps sold for $415,000.
Australian indigenous art and Oceanic tribal art sections both sold well above estimate while bidding was fierce in the Asian art section, which realised a staggering $1,347, 880 against a low estimate of $282,330.
