Webb's winter auction of Important Paintings and Contemporary Art, held on Tuesday night confirmed the strength of the top tier of the art market in spite of persistent uncertainty in the international financial markets and slow domestic economic growth signals.

With only 80 select works offered and a sale total already in excess of $1.2 million, the preliminary results demonstrate a strong and pervasive demand for rare and significant cultural assets.

- Charles Frederick Goldie No Koora te Cigaretti, A Portrait of Mihipeka Wairama, Tuhourangi Oil on canvas. Signed C. F. Goldie and dated 1915 in brushpoint. 240mm x 190mm. Realised $337,421.

- Bill Hammond, At the Flood, Acrylic on board, three-panel altarpiece construction. Signed W. D. Hammond, dated 2004 and inscribed At the Flood in brushpoint, 990mm x 1730mm (overall). Realised $228,750.

- Robin White, Porirua Harbour I, oil on canvas. Signed Robin White and dated '70 in brushpoint lower right; signed Robin White and inscribed Porirua Harbour I in marker pen upper edge verso; inscribed Porirua Harbour I in marker pen middle verso, 765mm x 610mm. Realised $125,800.

- Tony Fomison, The Veil of Saint Veronica - After An Old Engraving of a Relic at the Vatican Oil on cotton stretched over card in found frame. Signed Tony Fomison, dated 7. 4. 73 - Good Friday 1973.190mm x 140mm. Realised $42,900.