Several expressions of interest have been made to buy the large $50,000 sculpture, which was removed from financially troubled developer Dave Henderson's Anthem Vineyards, which is in receivership.
However, the statue, Joie de Vivre, remained at Olssen's Garden Vineyard, in Bannockburn, receiver Paul Sargison, of Auckland, said yesterday.
Mr Sargison he would have been advised if Mr Henderson had attempted to use a crane and truck to reclaim the statue, as he intimated he would a week ago.
Legal arguments over ownership have been conducted in solicitors' letters between the parties.
Olssen's was also the retail outlet for several sculptors, including Joie de Vivre creator Llew Summers, of Christchurch.
Mr Sargison said he did not have a confirmed sale for the sculpture yesterday, but there had been several expressions of interest from throughout New Zealand.
Mr Sargison said Mr Henderson did not have a legal right to reclaim the statue.
"The company [Anthem Holdings Ltd] is in receivership and we are the receivers, so we have control of the personal property assets of the company.
"We are responsible for realising the assets and we will account to the holders of the security once Mr Henderson's action to prove his priority has been heard in the court.
"Knowing the court's backlog, I suspect that won't be until late this year."
Mr Henderson did not return calls yesterday.
