Kegel-Konietzko & Dorn Gallery

For more than 100 years we have been presenting fine and authentic top pieces of African art. The historical basis of our collection was acquired directly in Africa or purchased from European collections between 1912 and the 1950s - the oldest pieces date from the mid-17th century.

The gallery origins date back to 1912, when the explorer Julius Konietzko wanted to give a professional setting to his trading business with German ethnographic museums: the gallery "Julius Konietzko Ethnographica" was born. Julius and his wife Lore made the company well known internationally.

From 1934 the former Lore Konietzko overtook the business with her own company "Lore Kegel Exotische Kunst". Personalities such as the painters Karl Schmitt Rottluff, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Emil Nolde, Carl-Otto Czeschka and the sculptor Friedrich Wield (a student of Auguste Rodin) became customers and friends. In addition leading tribal art dealers such as Charles Ratton, Jacob Aalderink, Matthias L. J. LeMaire belonged to this circle and of course the German ethnologist Hans Himmelheber.

In 1957, Lore's and Julius' son Boris Kegel-Konietzko joined the company before he overtook it in 1964. He successfully ran the business together with his wife Ingeborg for many decades. The gallery was a regular exhibitor at the major German art fairs, and from Hamburg it was increasingly doing business with museums, dealers and collectors outside Europe.

A new chapter has begun in 2020. After Boris' death, Alex Dorn, a long-time confidant, took over the company. The historic premises in Hamburg-Blankenese shine in new splendor and provide the perfect setting for the unveiling of hidden treasures.