The most expensive is also the purest line

For all lovers of primitive art of the world, the idea that on 23 June will open a huge officially dedicated place in Paris, on the quai Branly, in one of the world of art capitals, and only in this area déconsidéré long has some psychological effect. Paris is now the epicenter, in the museums of what some call "the first arts" but by collateral effect of the market for this type of art objects. It is also not a chance that, a few days earlier, on 17 and 18 June, will be held at Drouot a colossal sale mainly devoted to African art.

The truth is a historic event. History because such a quantity of objects collected during as much time is no longer on the market. An area infested with false provenance is a supreme guarantee for the amateur. She gives him the certainty that the eyes of a very informed person known collector landed on the piece and has chosen it before him. It also gives him the assurance that the object is not recent. Sale truth, 514 lots, a catalogue 600 pages and 3 kilos sold for 100 euros, 4 Drouot rooms for the opportunity and an overall estimate of 10 to 15 million euros. The father, Pierre Vérité, a frustrated artist, selling of primitive art in the District of Montparnasse at the beginning of the 1930s. The son, Claude, continues activity in the company of his father and is only in 1965, according to the sales expert Pierre Amrouche. He was now seventy-seven years old.

From this period, the hub gallery, it is its name, is less appreciated by real professionals. "From 1965, shipments of objects themselves are stopped." "Sells replacement parts, lower quality, which were little used in rituals and who are not old", recognized Pierre Amrouche (1). In addition, the truth have always had the taste of the secret. When they lend pieces for exhibitions to be milestones of the knowledge of African art, they ask that you mention "Private Collection" catalogue.

It is therefore clear that the surname of truth is not like that of Helena Rubinstein its sale took place in 1966 synonym of famous collection. It evokes not a merchant very high-end, recognized for his eye selective, unlike Charles Ratton for example. As a professional of African art which prefers to remain anonymous, "the truth were accumulators." "And when it accumulates over the years 1930 there is always stuff well, even if some important pieces were recently sold to an institutionsétrangères."

The expert of the sale however replies: "some truth collection sets are outstanding." Have never seen so copies of antelope Bambara for example. "Objects in the form of antelope from this ethnic group living in Mali are sculptures that were intended to be put on the head, on a basket Wicker to distinguish best farmers during the planting ceremony. Nine copies are offered between 3,000 and 80,000 euros. One that displays the lowest estimate was collected directly by Claude truth, in Africa in 1951. The artist represented three nested animals extended by huge horns. The object is not in excellent condition. The most expensive is also the purest line. It is a female and her calf on his back. He was selected to five exhibitions, in three books and is accompanied by the comment in the catalogue: "this Crest Bambara is certainly one of the most beautiful and most famous".

Icons of African art

But the most remarkable of the truth collection is originally part of Gabon, as specialized magazine "Tribal Arts" (2). For the Spanish dealer recognized as one of the leading professionals of specialty Antonio Casanovas the centrepieces on sale are masks Fang. "Most of the Fang masks are false or late." There, they are old and authentic. It is icons of African art. It is almost impossible to find this today. Some will find a match in style, with Modigliani. "The star in this category is a high mask of 48 cm wooden covered of kaolin. It's a head to the curved shape and simplified lines with scarring on her cheeks, slits for eyes and a prominent right nose. It was stated at the most prestigious event of recent years "Primitivism in 20th Century: Affinity of the Tribal and the Modern" in New York at Moma in 1984. His estimate: EUR 1 million.

June 15, while the truth collection visits will have started on the quai Malaquais, in the Louvre, will open an exhibition that will cover the chronic. It is indeed the merchant Antonio Casanovas who was selected by the estate of Jacques Kerchache to disperse a portion of the total raised by those who had invented the concept of "art" and which was largely influenced on Jacques Chirac to enter this art at the Louvre and the Museum of the Branly Quay. Until July 22 will go on sale 20 masterpieces of African art from the collection Kerchache. "He had a pioneering spirit in its choice," said the Spanish merchant. "He is much for the recognition of the discipline." "He has also collaborated in" Primitivism in 20th Century "at Moma.".

One of the centrepieces of all comes from Gabon, a region near Congo and is for sale for about 800,000 euros. He is a figure of reliquary Mahongwe. "It is the more abstract object of African art." "A minimalist exercise", says Antonio Casanovas, which compares the piece he presents a head like an oversized spoon remake of both eyes in relief and covered in thin strips of metal with exposed currently in the Louvre in the Pavilion of the assignments. "What is proposed is more archaic, it has about one hundred and fifty years." It dates from the 17th or 18th century.

In September, the same professional will spend a second exhibition in 40 parts to important works of the collection Kerchache from Nigeria. The international market should, there still, be at the Rendez-vous.