Overview
James Tannock Mackelvie
intended that the residue of his estate be used to build a gallery
in Auckland in which his collection would be displayed.
Since funds were insufficient to provide a new building, the
trustees consented to the majority of the collection being shown in
the Mackelvie Gallery of Auckland City Art Gallery, added to the
original building in 1893. The Mackelvie Collection grew
considerably throughout the 20th century, including the
purchasing of bronzes by Archipenko, Bourdelle, Epstein and Moore.
Its most recent acquisition was Elisabeth Frink's monumental head
Tribute II. The decorative arts and book collections are
now held by the Auckland Institute and Museum and the Auckland
Public Library.