Mask sells for 4.2 Million

[Kmaddock]

Hi
I am just wondering what makes this mask so valuable

https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0327/1288733-france-mask/

text of article below

Regards

Ken



A carved mask from Central Africa, dating from the 19th Century, has been sold in France for €4.2 million, despite Gabonese protesters in the auction house calling for the item's "'restitution".

The rare wooden "Ngil" mask, used in ceremonies by the Fang ethnic people of Gabon, smashed its estimate of 300,000-400,000 euros at the auction in the southern French city of Montpellier.

"It's a case of receiving stolen goods," a man describing himself as a member of the Gabonese community in Montpellier exclaimed from the back of the auction room, surrounded by half a dozen compatriots.

"We'll file a complaint. Our ancestors, my ancestors, from the Fang community, we will recover this object", the protester added, describing the mask as a "colonial ill-gotten gain".

Auctioneer Jean-Christophe Giuseppi said the auction was "entirely legal", as far as he was aware.

Accompanied by security guards, the demonstrators left the auction hall calmly, but continued their protest against the sale of African works of art.

Yesterday's auction also included a Congolese chair which sold for €44,000.

With added costs and fees, the total paid by the successful bidder for the Fang mask was €5.25m, close to a record for such an item.

In 2006 a similar Fang mask brought in €5.9m at a Paris auction

[Bob A]

More than one party with plenty of money wanted it.

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks for posting this!! It IS astounding to see something like this, and compelled to search to learn more. It seems that these Fang masks are kind of a 'holy grail' of African art.
the 'NGIL' masks as this one were worn in ceremonies in the Fang tribes to this secret society, a religious/judicial group who sought and dealt with sorcerers. There is also a key element of ancestor worship .

These elongated, concave face masks, apparently were often destroyed by slave trade proponents, as well as French colonial activity which outlawed these groups, masks etc. by 1920s.

Picasso was intrigued by these, and inspired his 'Tete de Femme" (1908), so the artistic connection as well as the deep spiritual and metaphysical aspects are factors in their being sought.

[Kmaddock]

Thanks Jim
All very interesting.
For the sake of keeping information together here is picture of the mask that recently sold.
Regards,
Ken

(PS if one of our members now discovers they have one of these masks in their shed and sells it for 4.2 Million , I would appreciate a10% for assistance in letting you know what you have ;-)

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

Thanks Jim
All very interesting.
For the sake of keeping information together here is picture of the mask that recently sold.
Regards,
Ken

(PS if one of our members now discovers they have one of these masks in their shed and sells it for 4.2 Million , I would appreciate a10% for assistance in letting you know what you have ;-)

Thanks for adding the image Ken, apparently another of these sold in 2006 for 5.2 million!
Apparently Picasso was drawn to these African masks, and it would be interesting to know more on how these influenced him etc. This is the 'head of a woman' ("Tete de Femme") of 1908-1909 which reveals the similarity.

[Richard G]

The catalogue may give some explanation for its value. It is my observation that with these types of masks, and much ethnographica, provenance is all important. Firstly, because it establishes age and authenticity, but equally, or even more importantly, if it establishes a valued association. If, for example, a mask such as this had been owned by such as Picasso or his circle the value is multiplied extraordinarily.
Best wishes
Richard
PS. Sorry Jim, that's what you've already said.

[ALEX]

Ken, Very interesting indeed. Thanks for posting it.

[asomotif]

What was the provenance ?