Christie's sets auction record for an Oceanic work of art
Mortlock Islands Mask Caroline Islands
On 23 June 2021, Christie’s organised the sale of Michel Périnet’s collection of African, Oceanic and North American art, wich achieved the highest total for any African & Oceanic art sale with a combined €66,069,250 /£56,907,189 / $78,531,959, selling 100% by lot.
Source: Christie's. Image: Mortlock Islands mask, Caroline Islands. Estimate: €500,000-€700,000. Sold for €9,171,000
The star of the sale was lot 22, a Tapuanu mask from Micronesia with which sold for €9,171,000, establishing a new world auction record for any Oceanic work of art.
It was not the only record set on the sale: lot 9, a Gabonese Fang head which was once owned by Maurice de Vlaminck sold for €7,682,500 (new auction record for a Gabonese work of art); lot 43, a Luba mask that sold for €7,224,500 (new auction record for any African Art mask), and lot 17, a Baga shoulder mask that fetched €4,700,000 (new auction record for a Baga mask).
In addition, a black uli from Papua New Guinea – one of only seven known to exist in the world – realised €3,140,000. A rapa dance paddle from Easter Island was sold for €1,820,000. The auction was held in association with leading art world specialists Alain de Monbrison, Lance Entwistle, Bernard Dulon and Maître François de Ricqlès

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