Our Valuations Team

Specialist fine art valuer

Sophie Coupland

Sophie Coupland has over 25 years of experience in the sale and marketing of fine art. The daughter of Webb’s founders, Peter and Ann Webb, Sophie was mentored by Peter Webb throughout the 1990s. She held the position of director of art for 16 years and rejoined the Webb’s business and re-established its position in the market in 2016. Her long-standing market-based knowledge, together with significant business and commercial achievements, positions her as one of New Zealand’s most experienced fine art valuers. During her tenure at Webb’s, Sophie was commissioned to undertake numerous valuations for New Zealand's leading institutional collections including the holdings of Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tamaki and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Sophie has a broad knowledge of New Zealand art history with specialist expertise in modern and contemporary practice.

specialist fine art valuer

Briar Williams

Having held professional roles in the fine art industry in New Zealand and Australia for over 15 years, Briar Williams has a wealth of knowledge from 19th century topographical works through to modernism and contemporary practice. She was gallery assistant at Ferner Galleries in Auckland in the early 2000s, Head of Art at Leonard Joel, Melbourne from 2009 – 2013 and held the role of Art Department Manager at Mossgreen-Webb’s, Auckland from 2016 - 2017.  Briar is a longstanding arts commentator and writer on art market trends, reviewing the auction industry for AASD (Australian Art Sales Digest) and more recently Art News magazine.  Throughout, she has undertaken valuations for private collectors and large scale commissions. Briar holds a BA in Art History from University of Auckland, a PGrad Dip in Fine and Decorative Arts from Sotheby’s Institute, London and is the only New Zealand based member of the AACA (Australian Art Consultants Association).

specialist antique and collectable valuers

Murdoch McLennan is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected antique specialists and valuers.  Starting his career at an antique store in Dunedin, he then moved to Auckland and took up the position of Head of Decorative Arts at Webb’s. Murdoch then went on to establish Murdoch McLennan Antiques in Parnell, was one of Auckland’s most prestigious and recognised antique shops. In 2019, after half a century in the antiques dealing business Murdoch retired from the retail environment. His knowledge is wide ranging, from period furniture, silver, metalware, Asian arts, rugs and porcelain with a particular interest in Georgian furniture. Murdoch is a Past President of the New Zealand Antique Dealers Association and a Certifier of Antiques approved by New Zealand Customs. Murdoch holds a comprehensive knowledge of both market and retail values for antique pieces from all periods.