Category Archives: veilingverslagen

10 oktober 2018: Collection Elizabeth Pryce – L’art de vivre en Océanie. Sotheby’s, Paris

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Overview

The Elizabeth Pryce Collection – In Tribute to Oceanic Art

On October 10, in Paris, Sotheby’s will present for auction the collection of Elizabeth Pryce, dedicated entirely to Oceanic art. An essential personality of the Oceanic art world, she was one of the founders and vice-president of the Oceanic Art Society in Sydney, which played a significant part in the recognition and promotion of this specialty, particularly via major exhibitions such as the famous Shields of Melanesia. Assembled over more than forty years, this collection tells the story of a journey that was both artistic and cultural; that of Elizabeth Pryce, who travelled to Papua New Guinea several times, to the birthplace of these creations, in order to better understand them and give context to their acquisition. This unique collection, which comprises almost one hundred and fifty pieces, gives us an intimate view of Oceanic art, especially through the many items related to everyday life – combs, betel mortar, lime spatula, neck rests -, beautifully intricate embodiments of the art of living in Oceania.

This diversity, which reflects the stylistic variety of Oceanic art, parallels the historical origins and sculptural quality of certain pieces that stand out as icons. The biwat flute cap – acquired in situ in 1949 by Australian painter William Dobell – stands out in this respect, and magnificently illustrates the most powerful aesthetics of the arts of New Guinea. Sealing the extremity of the great sacred flutes, these figures were of major significance, at once social, ceremonial and religious: they were considered by the Biwat as the most important of their sculptures and had a sacred character. As an epitome of these aesthetics dedicated to forcefulness and emblematic of the art of Papua New Guinea, this piece attests to the unerring eye and indisputable taste of Elizabeth Pryce, who assembled a collection where each piece exemplifies the subtle blend of power and refinement unique to this region. Fulfilled with her own artistic journey, today Elizabeth Pryce gives us the opportunity – through the auction of her collection – to begin our own journey through Oceanic art.

27 juni 2018: Futur antérieur : la Collection d’Art africain de Liliane et Michel Durand-Dessert. Christie’s Parijs

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Artikel van Bruno Claessens:
After the successful sale of the Vérité collection last year, I’m very proud to present another collection sale at Christie’s Paris. On 27 June, we’ll be offering the famous African art collection of Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert. You can browse the catalogue HERE.

The 105 treasures (with a combined estimate of € 7-10 million) are a testament of the avant-garde taste of the Durand-Dessert couple, pioneer gallerists of contemporary art, who have taken an innovative look at African arts, to form a collection which they have brought together with love and rigour for more than thirty years.

The dispersion of this important ensemble constitutes a major event for the African art market, not only because of the intrinsic quality of the objects that are part of it, but because of the uncommon personalities of the couple that put it together with an unrelentingly critical, analytical and original approach, in which their high standards are clearly discernible. Open without exception to all areas of African art, this group was meticulously build up by the couple as a couple. Both are brilliant literary and scientifc academics, and audacious cutting-edge gallery owners who have been pioneers in their field, having shown the most radical 20th century avant-garde art. Also the choices they made in their collecting were well ahead of the pack – the arts of Nigeria indeed form a crucial segment of this unique collection.

In 2008, an important selection of it was presented at the Monnaie de Paris during Parcours des Mondes. This highly acclaimed exhibition, Fragments du Vivant (‘Fragments of the Living’), put their collection on the map and was accompanied by an excellent catalogue published under the supervision of Jean-Louis Paudrat and with beautiful photographs by Hughes Dubois. As you’ll note, many excerpts from the introductory interview published in this book enrich our catalogue notes, inasmuch as the eyes and appreciation that these collectors have had for their objects have contributed so much to making them the marvels that they are.

The African art collection Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert was born from the same implacable passion that animated their visionary choices for their gallery. A short history of the collection and its makers in English can be found at the back of the catalogue. It is a great honor for us to bring this unique ensemble to the market. The auction will take place in Paris on Wednesday 27 June at 4PM; below the preview dates.

Friday 22 June 2 PM-6PM
Saturday 23 June 10AM-6PM
Sunday 24 June 2PM-6PM
Monday 25 June 10AM-6PM
Tuesday 26 June 10AM-6PM
Wednesday 27 June 10AM-12AM

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can be of any service or if you want more information or images on a certain object. I hope to see you in Paris for this not-to-be-missed event!