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African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art

OVERVIEW

New York's spring auction of African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art comprises a remarkable selection of masterpieces from civilizations of lost worlds. Among the Polynesian stand-outs are an early 19th century Hawaiian Feather Cape formerly in the collection of the Niagara Falls Museum, Canada. Feather-covered shoulder capes are widely recognized and appreciated hallmarks of Oceanic art. Other highlights from Polynesia include a superb Austral Islands Chief Necklace and a magnificent Rarotonga or Atiu Pole Club, Cooks Islands. The sale will also comprise works from the celebrated Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede led by a superlative Biwat (Mundugumor) Male Ancestor Spirit Figure from a Sacred Flute, wusear, from Papua New Guinea.

Among the African masterpieces are a sublime Banda Ancestor Figure by the Master of Mobaye, an extremely rare complete Fang Reliquary Ensemble previously in the collection of the Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, and a powerful Songye Community Power Figure by the artist Yakyomba. A recent discovery from a Private Collection is the four-headed Lega sakimatwematwe Figure, one of the best examples known of this iconic type.

Highlights of the Pre-Columbian works include a large Vera Cruz Seated Figure previously in the collection of Hélène Kamer, and a Taino Wood Snuffer, Haiti, one of only three known examples. There are various zoomorphic Costa Rican gold pendants including a fine mythical frog pendant exhibited in the 1960's with Andre Emmerich. Also featured are several single-owner groupings including Costa Rican polychrome ceramics from a Private Collection and a selection of works from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections.