Mislabeled as a “Nkishi” female power figure, the Bassa figure from Liberia above will have caused some surprise in a small US auction room yesterday. Estimated at $ 5.000-8.000, and starting at $ 2.500, it sold for $ 75.000 ! It could have been a sleeper, but it was obviously discovered by several parties. A figure by the same hand was recently published by Galerie Schoffel-Valluet, in Côte d’Ivoire – premier regards sur la sculpture, 1850-1935 (on page 109). A rare object.
Hopefully, more auction surprises next week in NY !