Songye community power figure auctions with 140% increase

An exceptional Songye community power figure, a masterpiece of African art, has sold at the top of Sotheby's sale of The Collection of Allan Stone: African, Oceanic and Indonesian Art.

Songye Community power Figure
This power figure has been widely exhibited and is one of the most celebrated from the Songye community


Allan Stone was a respected dealer in ethnographic art, and his collection is among the finest ever offered at auction.

The Songye "Four Horn" community figure is a celebrated work from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with competitive bids resulting in a final price of $2.1m at the November 15 auction in New York - up 140% on its $900,000 high estimate.

Widely published and exhibited, it was included in the landmark exhibition Africa: the Art of a Continent at New York's Guggenheim Museum in 1996.

The figure is one of two major works acquired in the sale by the Dallas Museum of Art, which houses an outstanding collection of African art numbering almost 2,000 works.

"The 'Four Horn' Power Figure and Headcrest are both remarkable examples of African art that will expand our audiences' understanding of the innovative art and material culture of the diverse peoples of Africa," commented museum director Maxwell L Anderson.

Ejagham headcrest
The newly-acquired pieces will form the highlight of the Dallas Museum of Art's African art collection

The second piece, an Ejagham headcrest from the Cross River region in Nigeria, sold for $305,000 - a 103.3% increase on its $150,000 high estimate.

With many of the lots seeing strong bids, a Kongo-Yombe nail power figure from the Congo saw the second highest price at $1.8m. Originally estimated at $400,000-600,000, it achieved a 200.8% increase.

Sign up to our free newsletter for more of the latest news from across the collecting world.



Recent and related articles

·  Geoffrey Mukasa's Celebrations painting up 29% in Kenya | 8 November 2013

·  Urhobo eshe shrine post from Niger Delta to auction for $90,000 | 27 October 2013

·  Grizzly bear claw necklace to lead Heritage Auctions at $30,000 | 24 October 2013


Your collecting

View our stock items for sale  |  Portfolios for sale


Guides and analysis

Investing in Art  |  10 reasons to invest in collectibles  |  Which asset is right for you?


www.paulfrasercollectibles.com

Images: Sotheby's

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock