SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- An important and rare large standing male figure from the Admiralty Islands leads Bonhams’ auction of African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art on May 5 in San Francisco. The figure, which is one of a few large examples known to exist and almost certainly the last in private hands, is estimated at $100,000-150,000.

It is one of nearly 120 examples of Oceanic art in the sale which also includes a rare Maori canoe prow, called a tauihi, from New Zealand (est. $60,000-80,000) and a fine and rare Maori hand club (est. $30,000-50,000) from the famous Mark and Carolyn Blackburn Collection. A very rare mirror from the Hawaiian Islands (est. $40,000-60,000) is the first such mirror ever offered at auction.

From Papua New Guinea (PNG) come a monumental Kwoma Spirit Figure (est. $50,000-70,000) and a Yessan-Warasei female figure (est. $20,000-30,000). Decorated barkcloths – traditionally worn like a skirt by marriageable girls and newly married women as a mark of the transition to adulthood – are well represented. A fine example from PNG’s Lake Sentani is estimated at $12,000-18,000 and one from the Futuna Islands at $6,000-9,000.

Among the 95 lots of African Art are an Igbo, Awka-Onitsha, seated shrine figure from Nigera (est. $20,000-30,000) and a large Songye power figure from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (est. $50,000-70,000). The DRC is also the origin of a fine Hemba male figure (est. $40,000-60,000) and a rare, Kongo anthropomorphic mirror (est. $5,000-7,000). The mirror is one of several fine African artworks from the Collection of James L. Ludwig, a well-known philanthropist in San Francisco who has collected African, Pre-Columbian, Oceanic and Contemporary art for 50 years.

African, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian Art Specialist at Bonhams, Fredric Backlar, commented, "This auction includes many high quality works with great provenance that are fresh-to-the-market, including the Admiralty Islands figure which is the only know example still in private hands; the exquisitely carved rare Maori canoe prow, made in the 18th century for an important deceased chief to carry him off to the next world; and the impressive large Songye figure, once an important magical figure for a community, still embodying both strength and power to this day. "

Bonhams' next auction of African, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian Art will take place in early November with in-person, online and phone bidding options.