Hopes that proceedings might benefit from the proximity of the Sotheby’s sale, which began immediately afterwards, were not borne out by results, as just one quarter of the 104 lots found takers for a modest hammer total of €79,000 (£49,400). The only one of the top dozen lots (expected to clear €10,000) to sell was this
Tiv Ihambe wooden statue from Nigeria, 3ft 6in (1.07m) tall, sold short of estimate for €13,500 (£8440).
Muted sideshow
Presented with individual estimates of €35,000-50,000, two male and female Urhobo figures – just as large as the Urhobo figure sold at Sotheby’s, and possibly a matching pair – were the chief casualties at the mixed-provenance sale of African art (principally from Nigeria) assembled by Marie-Catherine Daffos and Jean-Luc Estournel for Lombrail-Teucquam (buyer’s premium 15%) at Drouot on the afternoon of September 30.
