PARIS.- On 22 June 2015 Artcurial will be holding its first Tribal Art sale of the year. Almost 70 carefully selected works will be offered for sale and will be displayed to the public from 18 to 21 June. Works with highly prestigious provenance will be presented, including a Zandé-Nzakara harp, Democratic Republic of Congo, from the former collection of the poet Paul Eluard. There will also be items from the collection of René Withofs, a major collector and one of the first dealers of Tribal Art.

« We are pleased to have succeeded in bringing together a collection of documented works coming from renowned historical collections. Collectors and international enthusiasts, looking for rare, quality pieces will not fail to notice this Zandé-Nzakara harp from the former Paul Eluard collection » explained Florence Latieule, who heads the Tribal Art department.

Present among the items on offer is a remarkable Baule mask from the Ivory Coast with hair fashioned in the asymmetrical style of the Kpan, collected in situ around 1910. The fine lines of the face are rendered more spectacular by two horns adorning the forehead. This piece, with old patina, was passed by descent to the present owner (estimate : 40 000 – 60 000 € / 44 000 – 66 000 $).

The highlight of the sale, a Zandé-Nzakara harp, Democratic Republic of Congo, pre 1960, comes from the former collection of Paul Eluard (estimate : 30 000 – 50 000 € / 33 000 – 55 000 $). This extremely rare piece gives an insight into the richness of the French poet’s collection and illustrates his fascination with tribal arts. The bevel edged sound box is carefully covered with antelope skin. The neck is topped with a female face, characteristic of the delicate style and decorated with a typical pointed coiffure. The object also shows definite signs of wear and tear on the carved neck, indicating that it was probably made for a dignitary and was well used before its arrival in Europe.

From another major name in Tribal Art, comes a selection of pieces from the collection of René Withofs, Brussels, most notably his favourite painting, painted by Willy Mestach in 1950 (estimate : 8 000 – 10 000 € / 8 500 – 11 000 $).

A set of pieces from a knowledgeable Belgian collector will also be offered for sale, including a beautiful Punu mask, Tsangi, Gabon (estimate : 30 000 – 40 000 € / 33 000 – 44 000 $). The hairstyle and the elegant, stylised scarification of this piece accentuate the mysterious aspect of the female face.

Finally, in a bold, powerful style, is a beautiful Songye mask, Kifwebe, Democratic Republic of Congo, collected in situ around 1930, by a collector from Brussels (estimate : 15 000 – 20 000 € / 16 500 – 22 000 $), as well as a fine set of Kuba pieces including a beaded mask (estimate : 7 000 – 10 000 € / 7 700 – 11 000 $).

Mask Baoule, Ivory Coast Kpan style, collected in situ about 1910 H. : 36,50 cm Estimate : 40 000 – 60 000 € / 44 000 – 66 000 $
This « Kpwan ple » style mask represents an elegantly stylised female face : a rectangular mouth, through which the dancer looked ; an elongated nose ; semi-circular eyes ; a rounded forehead framed by a hairstyle. On either side of the mask are delicate oval ears in slight relief. Its final embellishment is a large pair of slightly curved horns.

Mask Punu, Tsangi, Gabon H. : 29 cm Estimate : 30 000 – 40 000 € / 33 000 – 44 000 $
This « okuyi » dance mask is characteristic of the technique adopted by the « Ndzèbi » and the « Tsengi » of the eastern part of the Punu-Bayaka area. It represents a very convex face : a high, rounded coiffure, a domed forehead, a short, flat nose, a hollowed face and a mouth with prominent lips. Also evident on this specimen are linear scarifications on the upper part of the mask, creating a colour contrast with the white kaolin background. The hair is also embellished with a horizontal band.

Mask Songye, Kifwebe, Democratic Republic of Congo H. : 36 cm Estimate : 15 000 – 20 000 € / 16 500 – 22 000 $
Here can be seen an anthropomorphic face of rectangular shape, widening towards the top. The convex, domed forehead is decorated with wide parallel striations highlighted by kaolin. Red pigment accentuates the upper curve of the eyebrows, the inside of the mouth, as well as streaks on top of the skull and on the cheeks. The whole mask is covered with a used dark patina.

Statue Deble, Senoufo, Ivory Coast H. : 147 cm Estimate : 20 000 – 40 000 € / 22 000 – 44 000 $
This sculpture represents a standing male figure, legs emerging from a cylindrical base. The torso is elongated, arms thinning around the elbows before widening out again, the shoulders broad and square. The head is characteristic of the Déblé style: chin projected forwards, mouth half open revealing two rows of incised teeth, a long thin nose, slightly bulging oval shaped eyes. Hair styled in the form of a small hat covers the top of the skull. A used patina and some erosion marks on the arms attest to its great age.