Webb’s, a Kiwi auction house, gave strange advice to the winners of glass plate portraits. Actually, the sale by the New Zealand-based auction house included ownership of the NFTs as well as the original plates. The interesting part is that each portrait came with a small brass hammer.
What do you think about this? Is this move from the Kiwi auction house a risky ploy to increase interest?
The story behind Kiwi Auction House telling buyers to smash artworks
In recent months, Nirvana photographer has faced backlash for selling NFTs of the brand. However, Webb’s Auction House’s latest stunt received mixed reactions until now. It’s not usual when the head of art tells the winning bidders to “Smash it”.
A little background on these artworks
Basically, New Zealand artist Charles Goldie created these glass portraits between 1910 and 1920. He is best known for his paintings of Maori chiefs as well as their communities. Certainly, Goldie wanted to preserve the heritage of the Maori people who became his friends.
In particular, a custom-built pine box featuring these portraits along with a framed print was put on auction. Likewise, NFTs and the hammer are included in the same lot.
Charles Ninow, Head of Art at Webb’s said “Perhaps you might want to make it permanently digital. Smash it? Smash it”
Successfully, the portrait of Charles Fredrik Goldie sold for a staggering NZ$76,250. In addition, the Kiwi Auction House sold another portrait for NZ$51,250. It’s likely that the successful sale of these portraits was due to NFTs.
Charles Ninow said, “it is really important to New Zealand’s history and in a way we’re making it immortal”.
Although, Webb’s did not comment on the allegations. Also, we do not know if the winning bidders have followed the advice.
Several auction galleries are increasingly trying to use NFT technology. For instance, Sotheby’s, one of the greatest art auction houses, has opened its own NFT marketplace.
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