Tribal art has long been embraced by a coterie of academics and collectors who cherish its originality and quality. But prices are rising as the subject moves slowly but surely from the scholarly periphery towards the mainstream. Collecting has been aided by the internet - the source of information in once little understood fields and the perfect medium for connecting enthusiasts from a series of global collecting centres with sometimes far-flung quarry.
The market is polarised. As a general rule, there is a gulf in interest levels – and prices – between those pieces that were created for use in a domestic or ceremonial capacity and those that were produced purely for the tourist trade. For this reason, an old provenance can add considerably to the value of pieces when sold at auction.
In 2016 Peter Wilson completed the sale of a massive single owner collection of African art - successfully dispersing some 2215 items across six sales.
We offer a free valuation service to people who are considering the sale of their items through our auction room. Click the button to complete our short form, and one of our experts will be in touch.
