Guy Laliberté’s African Art Collection | The sale at Christie’s brought in 5 million

The sale of 60 works from Guy Laliberté’s collection of African art by Christie’s on May 11 brought in 5 million. The most coveted object was a 48 cm high bust of Congolese origin, sold for $600,000. If 80% of the lots were sold, the auction was a little disappointing, according to commissioner Jacques Germain, who organized this sale for the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil.

Eric Clement
The Press

Christie’s and Jacques Germain pinned a lot of hope on this auction which took place in the midst of the effervescence of the New York art world, at the beginning of May. The collection developed over 26 years by the Montreal curator specializing in African art had been estimated at between 4.9 and 6.8 million. A conservative so-called “attractive” estimate which gave hope for great battles between bidders.

Even though 12 lots did not find buyers, Jacques Germain considers this to be a good result. “The market is very, very high-end,” he says. These objects are aimed at customers who buy the best at a high price. Christie’s was satisfied with the sale, but it is true that some lots did not reach the expected amount. New York is a bit numb when it comes to early arts. To revitalize this market, Christie’s knows that it takes time”.

The Commissioner explains that the context of instability resulting from the war situation in Ukraine may have played into this mixed result. “Perhaps also that the sale should have taken place at another time, because the attention was focused, at the beginning of May, especially on the auctions of large paintings. After that crush, it could have been better. But auctions are auctions. You can never be sure of the outcome. »

All the same, four objects recorded world records in their category. Estimated between $77,000 and $102,600, the Bamana mask from Koré (Mali) went for $218,150. A sculpture from Madagascar, Sakalava Figure, was sold for $97,000 when it was estimated between $25,650 and $38,500. A Sénoufo helmet-mask, from the Ivory Coast, of choice provenance, sold for $452,450, more than its upper estimate of $384,700. Finally, a Congolese mask, Vili Yombewas purchased for $121,200, nearly twice its upper estimate.

“Three major museums bought works during this sale, including the Chicago Art Institute and the Detroit Institute of Arts, says Jacques Germain. They were very happy, because they didn’t pay very much for their acquisitions. It could easily have been double that. Some Quebec museums could have done very good business. »