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west african art

Lobi

A Large Encrusted Lobi Figure: Why Some African Ritual Objects Are Not Easy to Sell

Not everything is easy to sell.I hesitated. I’ve kept this Lobi figure for many years. At first, very simply, because it is big.Eighty-one centimeters high, heavy, not easy to handle. For my in-house expeditions, it was never a convenient object. It always required more space, more care, more effort. But that was not the real reason. There is an elegance… Read More »A Large Encrusted Lobi Figure: Why Some African Ritual Objects Are Not Easy to Sell

Suku mask

Navigating the World of Authentic African Masks: Lessons From 30 Years in the Field

Photo: A fine Suku Mask fom David Norden’s collection. Over the past weeks, several collectors have told me how difficult it is to navigate the world of African masks online.Too many choices, too many claims of “authenticity,” and far too many pieces that were never used in ritual at all. I understand the frustration.When I began 30 years ago, I… Read More »Navigating the World of Authentic African Masks: Lessons From 30 Years in the Field