African Tribal Art
African Forms and Figures
This auction presents a rare and important selection of African tribal art, largely from the renowned collector Michel Maes of Castle van Oys, Maastricht. The group is notable for its quality, provenance, and the long-term dedication behind its formation.
One major highlight of the sale is an exceptional large collection of Toguna support posts, considered one of the largest private collections of its kind. These sculptural architectural elements, associated with Dogon communal structures, combine functional form with strong symbolic presence and are highly sought after by collectors and institutions.
Also included is a very large collection of Mossi ancestral figures and dolls, characterised by their stylised forms and abstract expression, reflecting key aspects of Mossi spiritual and ancestral traditions.
The sale further includes many works from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a strong group figures of notable sculptural quality. Among them is an outstanding highlight: Lot 25, a rare and monumental Bwende Niombo funerary figure in cotton, an exceptional and highly significant example of Central African funerary art.
The collection presents a cohesive overview of African sculptures, distinguished by rarity, provenance, and artistic significance, and represents a rare opportunity on the Dutch auction market.
