The anthropomorphic face mask, measuring 30cm (12in) tall, is carved in wood with pigments, cloth and fibres. It was offered with a good provenance for a price in the region of $16,000 by first-time exhibitor Mark Eglinton, who is based in New York.
Tribal Art London, which took place from September 6-9 at the Mall Galleries, featured 23 exhibitors. It was the largest event to date for the fair which is now 10 years old. It is organised by Bryan Reeves of Tribal Gathering London who called this a “turning point”.
“The fair is now evidently attracting enthusiastic younger buyers looking to cross over between contemporary and tribal art,” Reeves said, adding that serious investors and collectors also attended.
TAL is one of the first events on London’s busy autumn calendar. This year, well-known visitors included David Attenborough, actress Julie Christie, UK designer Ross Lovegrove and curators from the British Museum and the Royal Academy were also in attendance. Trade buyers included Edric van Vredenberg of Belgium as well as Find & Co and Bruce Frank, both exhibitors at Parcours des sondes in France which took place the following week.
Sales
African art was the geographic favourite among buyers, though other Indonesian and Nepalese art also saw significant sales. Basketry and textiles sold well across the fair.
The majority of sales were between £1500-2500 though several items at the fair went for prices over £10,000. In addition to Eglinton’s Ligbi mask, organiser Reeves sold a 16th/17th century Tellem figure from Mali with an asking price of £14,500.
First-timer Emmauel Ameloot sold a Senfo horse and rider for £4500 while long-time participant Rob Temple sold several Republic of Congo figures priced a little under £5000. Co-founder Adam Prout sold a child’s tunic at £4000 and a Yaure mask from a US collection at £4800.
