There are treasures hidden sometimes in the most unexpected places. This is what happened when a second-hand dealer made an exceptional discovery in a country house during an auction. A carved African mask, originally purchased for 150 euros, was sold for the astronomical sum of 4.2 million euros.
The story dates back to September 2021, when two retirees decided to empty their country house with a view to selling it. They called on a second-hand dealer to acquire various objects, including this Gabonese mask in carved wood. At the time, they believed that this mask had only trivial value. But six months later, the mask was sold at auction for a sum that far exceeded expectations.
Of course, the couple wanted to contest this sale by requesting its cancellation. They felt deceived and abused by the second-hand dealer who, according to them, knew what he was doing. Their lawyer emphasized that their clients were not art collectors and had not bothered to assess the true historical and artistic value of the mask.
However, French justice validated the sale during a hearing held on Tuesday December 19. The Alès court found that the couple had not exercised due diligence in assessing the real value of the object. According to the court, the second-hand dealer himself was not aware of the unique value of the mask.
It is actually a sacred mask belonging to the secret society of the Fang people, dating from the 19th century. This mask had a very particular function, that of invoking the spirits to dispense justice. During a sale of African art, the second-hand dealer contacted the Montpellier Auction House, which estimated the value of the mask between 300,000 and 400,000 euros, after carrying out in-depth analyzes to date it.
Gabon, wishing to recover this cultural treasure, had filed a complaint for theft. However, the country’s request was deemed inadmissible by the French court. Solange Bizeau, president of the Gabon Occitanie collective, expressed her disappointment and dismay at the sale of this sacred mask. She reminds that this object is not just a work of art intended for decoration, but that it has deep spiritual meaning for the Fang people.
This auction sparked numerous debates on the issue of protection and preservation of African cultural heritage. African art objects, often the result of looting and trafficking, are increasingly sought after on the international market. It is therefore essential to ensure that these objects are protected and returned to their countries of origin where possible.
In conclusion, this story highlights the importance of evaluating and understanding the cultural and historical value of art objects. It also raises questions about the responsibility of collectors and sellers in the preservation and restitution of African cultural heritage.