RESULTS: African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art - May 16, 2008 SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK SPRING SALE OF
AFRICAN, OCEANIC & PRE-COLUMBIAN ART
ACHIEVES $10,165,325
who passed away in 2007 and 2006, respectively, viewed African Art as an aesthetic of the highest
accomplishment and complexity. They concentrated their collection on pieces from Central Africa and Southeastern
Africa, an area largely ignored by other collectors and museums at the time that they purchased the works.
Recognition in the marketplace for works of great quality and age from East Africa was demonstrated by A
Tanzanian, Possibly Kerewe, Female Figure, Tanzania, which sold for many times above its high estimate for
$205,000 (lot 184, est. $15/25,000), setting a record for an East African sculpture at auction. Another highlight from
this region was A Kamba Male Power Figure, Kenya, which brought $61,000 (lot 187, est. $7/10,000). Works
from The Walter and Molly Bareiss Collection of African Art (lots 157-187) brought a total of $1,629,875.
From a Private Collection, a Punu Mask, Gabon (lot 139, est. $60/90,000), fetched a price of $337,000. This lost
treasure was published in 1915 in a seminal book entitled Negerplastik by Carl Einstein, which had great influence on
artists of the 20th century who bought the book and studied its objects. Also from a Private Collection, A Superb
Luba Hermaphrodite Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a masterful example of Luba artistry, was
highly sought after, bringing $511,000 (lot 142, est. $80/120,000).
A Rare Dogon Cliff Painting, Mali from An American Private Collection more than doubled its high estimate,
bringing $91,000 (lot 81, est. $25/35,000). Also from an American Private Collection, A Fine Sherbo Female Figure,
Sierra Leone fetched $46,000 (lot 95, est. $15/25,000). From A British Private Collection, A Toma Mask, Liberia,
lot 97, exceeded its estimate of $30/50,000 to sell for $67,000.
Works from Nigeria were highly sought after and brought great prices. Two lots which came from A German Private
Collection demonstrated the American market’s appreciation for works with strength in their sculptural quality: A
Superb Ijo Fish Headcrest, Nigeria, realized $79,000 (lot 104, est. $40/60,000); and A Magnificent Ishtan
Mask, Nigeria sold for $103,000 (lot 105, est. $30/50,000).
Smaller objects with great attention to fine quality were present in The Bohlen Collection and achieved strong prices.
A highlight was A Magnificent Vili Kneeling Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo, lot 134, which surpassed
its estimate of $30/50,000 many times to realize a price of $289,000. Also from The Bohlen Collection, An Important
Bembe Male Ancestor Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, sold for $109,000 (lot 123, est. $50/70,000).
OCEANIC ART
From the Oceanic offerings, A Fine Nias Male Ancestor Figure, Republic of Indonesia, lot 32, more than
tripled its estimate of $40/60,000 to achieve a price of $157,000 and was purchased by an American Institution. A
Marshall Islands Pounder, made from the shell of a Tridacna Gigas (giant clam), brought $73,000 (lot 42, est.
$20/30,000). Only a very small number of these pounders, whose delicate shapes mirror the curves of Constantin
Brancusi’s Bird in Space, are known to exist. Another highlight from the Oceanic section was A Hawaiian Bowl,
Hawaii, featuring a
