Artkhade Report 2026

After the exceptional year that was 2024 — buoyed by the dispersal of the Barbier-Mueller collection — the tribal art market returned to its cruising speed in 2025. With a turnover of €42.7 million, it followed the trajectory of previous years: more selective, more demanding, yet also more cautious.

After the extravagance of 2024 and its €117.6 million — a figure largely driven by the dispersal of the Barbier-Mueller collection, “Art as Legacy”, at Christie’s, which alone generated over €73 million — the tribal art market settled back into a steadier rhythm in 2025. Global turnover stood at €42.7 million, a decline of 4.1% compared with the €44.6 million achieved in 2024 when the Barbier-Mueller sale is excluded. A modest dip, chiefly explained by a contraction in the volume of lots offered: 7,265 in 2025 versus 8,740 in 2024 — a 16.9% drop.