Mask sells for 4.2 Million

Bob A · 29th March 2022, 08:40 PM

More than one party with plenty of money wanted it.

Jim McDougall · 30th March 2022, 02:06 AM

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 · 30th March 2022, 08:30 AM

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 · 30th March 2022, 04:58 PM

Quote:

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 · 30th March 2022, 10:40 PM

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.

gp · 2nd April 2022, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

sorry but there never is a decent explanation for a these kind of values: my late father always told me in a joking yet serious way, "the value is what a fool is willing to pay for it"

Van Gogh died in poverty, Rembrandt went bancrupt....
and their work is now being bought quite a lot of times by people as investments or show off objects to gain status.
It's all in the eyes of the beholder...

Look at cold weapons:

some were sold on catawiki for 20-60 Euro just 4 to 5 years ago...
now do cost you 150 to 200 or more.
Best examples are Congole daggers, Bosnian bichaqs from the Ottoman & Habsburgian era , Indonesian goloks and Tjikeroehs.
And perhaps we'll see a decline in a decade ...

Also location: sometimes I see prices in the good ol' U S of A versus the EU ( not talkking import taxes and such) which do show sometimes a huge difference ...even double or treble .
Be it swords, daggers, guns, revolvers...

But still with patience one might get a nice piece for an excellent and even cheap price...

asomotif · 2nd April 2022, 12:38 PM

Ok, 1917 that is not extremely old but in line with the colonial history.
The provenance is also not very interesting, No Picasso or other artist that owned and/or painted the mask.
It looks like a case Indeed of 2 or more people with way too much money at the auction.

Personally I would not want this mask in my livingroom if it was for free.

I like the Fang statues, but the masks do not appeal to me.

The claim from the Gabonese people is interesting.
They where present at the auction, so they were not triggered by the end bid of 4,2 million.

I tend to over simplify such claims.
If it is very efident that the objects where looted, there is some bassis for the claim. But in this case, it could have been a gift, or maybe even purchased in 1917.

Thanks for sharing this weird auction.

Now back to the Etnographic arms section

Best regards,
Willem

ALEX · 1st April 2022, 08:39 AM

Ken, Very interesting indeed. Thanks for posting it.

asomotif · 2nd April 2022, 10:42 AM

What was the provenance ?

Kmaddock · 2nd April 2022, 11:48 AM

A bit more info on the back story.

In Montpellier in the South of France, protesters disrupted an auction right before a 19th century carved mask was sold for €4.2 million, despite accusations that it was “stolen goods”.

The protesters were part of the local Gabonese community, and they were calling for the return of the wooden ‘Nigil' mask.

Historically, the Fang people of Gabon used it in ceremonies. And it is extremely rare, with only around 10 similar masks in the world.

"We and all the people here are contesting this sale,” said Ange Mbougou, secretary-general of the association of Gabonese in Montpellier.

“We have taken the necessary legal action to ensure that these works are returned, as is the case everywhere in Africa."

According to the auction house, the French colonial governor René-Victor Edward Maurice Fournier acquired the mask in 1917 under unknown circumstances, probably during a tour of Gabon.

It then stayed in his family house in Hérault from the 1920s until his descendants discovered it.

The auctioneer at the event, Jean-Christophe Giuseppi, said to the best of his knowledge, the auction was "entirely legal".

In recent years, European countries have started to make repatriate objects acquired during colonialism.

Last year, France returned 26 artefacts to Benin that colonial troops looted in 1892.

Regards

Ken

30th March 2022, 02:06 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,825	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. Attached Images

30th March 2022, 08:30 AM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 537	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 ;-) Attached Images

1st April 2022, 08:39 AM	#8
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Ken, Very interesting indeed. Thanks for posting it. Last edited by ALEX; 1st April 2022 at 03:08 PM.

29th March 2022, 08:40 PM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 421	More than one party with plenty of money wanted it.

30th March 2022, 10:40 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 402	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.

2nd April 2022, 12:38 PM	#7
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Ok, 1917 that is not extremely old but in line with the colonial history. The provenance is also not very interesting, No Picasso or other artist that owned and/or painted the mask. It looks like a case Indeed of 2 or more people with way too much money at the auction. Personally I would not want this mask in my livingroom if it was for free. I like the Fang statues, but the masks do not appeal to me. The claim from the Gabonese people is interesting. They where present at the auction, so they were not triggered by the end bid of 4,2 million. I tend to over simplify such claims. If it is very efident that the objects where looted, there is some bassis for the claim. But in this case, it could have been a gift, or maybe even purchased in 1917. Thanks for sharing this weird auction. Now back to the Etnographic arms section Best regards, Willem

2nd April 2022, 10:42 AM	#9
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	What was the provenance ?

2nd April 2022, 11:48 AM	#10
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 537	A bit more info on the back story. In Montpellier in the South of France, protesters disrupted an auction right before a 19th century carved mask was sold for €4.2 million, despite accusations that it was “stolen goods”. The protesters were part of the local Gabonese community, and they were calling for the return of the wooden ‘Nigil' mask. Historically, the Fang people of Gabon used it in ceremonies. And it is extremely rare, with only around 10 similar masks in the world. "We and all the people here are contesting this sale,” said Ange Mbougou, secretary-general of the association of Gabonese in Montpellier. “We have taken the necessary legal action to ensure that these works are returned, as is the case everywhere in Africa." According to the auction house, the French colonial governor René-Victor Edward Maurice Fournier acquired the mask in 1917 under unknown circumstances, probably during a tour of Gabon. It then stayed in his family house in Hérault from the 1920s until his descendants discovered it. The auctioneer at the event, Jean-Christophe Giuseppi, said to the best of his knowledge, the auction was "entirely legal". In recent years, European countries have started to make repatriate objects acquired during colonialism. Last year, France returned 26 artefacts to Benin that colonial troops looted in 1892. Regards Ken