Paris, 25 June 2013

The sale of African and Oceanic art, held on 19 June at Christie’s Paris, made a total turnover of €7.896m, which is the best result ever for the department.

An important part of the record belongs to the Jolika Collection (Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco), which made $3.172m, becoming the most important collection of Oceanic art ever to be sold on auction. It is also worth noticing that the world record for a piece of Oceanian art was established with the sale of a Biwat Ridgepole Figure, issued from Mid-Yuat, Bas-Sépik, Papoua New Guinea, purchased for €2.505m, far beyond its high estimate of €1m.

In addition, a “Baga Snake” Bansonyi, issued from the Republic of Guinea, was sold for €2.337m and established a new record for Baga art.