Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Sotheby's African & Oceanic Auction - Paris December 5, 2007





On December 5, 2007 Sotheby's Paris has two auctions -
1) A single owner sale of 15 lots from Brian & Diane Leyden's great Bete & Senufo collection and
2) A sale of 158 lots from various owners.

I imagine the Leyden's are using the strong market for top material to lighten up on a few items and allow them to diversify their collection. The pieces are first rate and should do well.

Highlights of the single owner sale include a Benin plaque (est 150,000 - 250,000 EUR), a Cameroon Fon figure (est 250,000 - 350,000 EUR and pictured above , a Kwele mask (220,000 - 280,000 EUR) and a stunning squatting Bembe figure at 70,000 - 100,000 EUR (pictured above)

The sale features a handful of lots from South and East Africa (lots 95 - 104). Lot 99 comprises 12 Zulu spoons and was acquired in a small auction in South Africa 2 months ago. Lot 100 comprises 2 pipes and 2 snuffs including an interesting zoomorphic pipe. Lot 101 is a maternity figure, slightly stubby and not quite as elegant as the finest Baboon Master staffs, but authentic nevertheless and this is reflected in the estimate of 6,000-9,000 EUR. Lots 103 and 104 (illustrated above) are quite unusual Lozi walking sticks, probably made for resale, but attractive and nicely carved (est. 3,000-5,000 EUR and 4,000 - 6,000 EUR respectively).

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Bonhams African and Oceanic Auction November 13, 2007




Bonhams, New York holds its inaugural New York African and Oceanic auction on November 13, 2007.

Session 1 is a various owner sale comprising 269 lots. Of interest to the Southern African collector are lots 2267, 2268 and 2269. Lot 2268, estimated at $20,000-$25,000 is a maternity staff. Lot 2267 is an atypical staff, probably Zulu, ex William Brill collection with an estimate of $3,000-$4,000. Lot 2269 is a small crouching male figure with headring, probably made for sale, estimated at $2,00o-$3,000.


Session 2 comprises 116 lots from the Gelbard Collection.