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African art market

1910 Loango postcard Croquemitaine joue un grand rôle au pays des fétiches

African Art Authenticity, Colonial Postcards, and the Problem of “Made for the Market” Objects

Recently I revisited a fascinating postcard from the Loango coast, dating from around 1910. At first sight, it appears to confirm exactly what many collectors hope to see: African masks and figures photographed “in the field,” offered in an open-air market during the colonial period. For many collectors, such early documentation immediately creates reassurance. The older the publication or photograph,… Read More »African Art Authenticity, Colonial Postcards, and the Problem of “Made for the Market” Objects

Baule Standing Figure-African Art

Collecting African Art Without Regret — Even in a Changing Market

Hi  African Art collector , Some dealers would like you to believe that all African art is rare and priceless. But we should remember that this is the art of an entire continent, home to hundreds of cultures and carving traditions — meaning there is truly something meaningful to collect at every level. While many of the pieces I offer… Read More »Collecting African Art Without Regret — Even in a Changing Market