PARIS.- On June 7th 2016, Artcurial will organise an auction with around 80 works, dedicated to tribal art. The leading object is an Igbo feminine statue from Nigeria which is estimated at 50 000 – 60 000 € / 55 000 – 66 000 $. Three private collections will be on sale including one focused on Oceania objects, previously belonging to a Brussels- based collector. The auction will pay tribute to Mumuye statues with two pieces from the Jacques Kerchache collection, which have never been seen before on the market, and five pieces from the Pierre Parat collection.

“The works gathered for this auction are remarkable for their high quality and interesting backgrounds. There is bowl collected by Capitan Cook from his third adventure, an Igbo feminine statue from a collection belonging to Jacques Kerchache, part of the Pierre Parat collection and miniature sculptures from a collection previously owned by the poet, Andrée Appercelle. Discerning amateurs of Tribal art will appreciate these references.” Explains Florence Latieule, Head of the Tribal Art Department.

Mumuye ancestor statue, Nigeria Estimation : 15 000 – 20 000 € / 16 500 – 22 000 $
From a collection previously belonging to Jacques Kerchache, this sculpture shows a long and cylinder-shaped body standing upright and a head with protruding ears. This is typical of the Mumuye style and is easily recognised by the column shaped body and crest on the top of the head. This figure combines two institutions which is frequent with cult objects: the vadosong (water cult – symbolised by the white kaolin) and the vabong (fire reference – symbolised by the colour red.)

Another Mumuye sculpture is included in the auction. It is estimated at 8 000 – 12 000 € / 8 800 – 11 700 $ and comes from the Pierre Parat collection. The object was previously acquired from Jean-Michel Huguenin and Edouard Klejman who in 1968 organised the first Parisian exhibition of Mumuye statues in Paris at the Galerie Majestic.

Bowl, Hawaiian Islands, Estimation : 20 000 – 30 000 € / 22 000 – 33 000 $
This bowl made from koa acacia wood has a 31,6cm diameter and is perfectly formed. The bowl highlights how important family life is in Hawaiian culture. An entire family would get together to share meals out of the same large bowl. This object was collected by Capitan Cook during his third adventure in 17781779.

Also from the Pacific, Artcurial will put up a rare wooden stool for auction made from ‘No’oanga’ wood. It has a rectangular seat and comes from the Atiu island in the Cook island archipelago. (estimation : 30 000 – 50 000 € / 33 000 – 55 000 $).

Ngombe, Royal throne, Democratic Republic of the Congo Estimation : 30 000 – 40 000 € / 33 000 – 44 000 $
This chair come from a Brussels-based collector and has six large cylindershaped feet. It is ancient and generally found along the Congo River. It is entirely covered in ornate brass nails.

Dogon Kambari small statue from Mali Estimation : 6 000 – 9 000 € / 6 600 – 9 900 $
This piece comes from a collection of miniature statues belonging to Andrée Appercelle. The configuration is perfectly balanced, the arms are neatly placed in front of the mouth and the elbows rest upon the knees as though the figure was praying. This posture could symbolise a moment from an inauguration ceremony with the ‘binu’ priest.

Small Teke statue, Democratic Republic of the Congo Estimation : 6 000 – 9 000 € / 6 600 – 9 900 $
This small statue is 8cm high and comes from a collection of miniature statues once belonging to Andrée Appercelle. Prior to that, it belonged to Stephen Chauvet and was presented in 1952 at the Le Corneur Roudillon gallery. The Teke tribe were close to the Pygmies and were their successors in the occupation of the centre of Congo-Brazzaville.