This magnificent reliquary guardian has design elements characteristic of the Ndassa, a subgroup to the larger Kota people of Gabon. Previously owned by prominent private collectors in New York City, the sculpture was acquired in the late 1990s by a couple who, throughout the course of their marriage, built an incredible collection of ethnographic and African art. Art Market Liaison was hired by the couple’s family to assess their collection. Our team researched the full collection, catalogued each work, gathered provenance and purchase records together with old appraisals to pull together a new listing of what the collection represents. Following extensive research, Art Market Liaison explored the market and found the best opportunity to present the piece as part of a broader collection of over 50 artworks at an Ethnographic Art American, Indian Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art auction. The African antiquity represents Art Market Liaison’s work outside the realm of contemporary art and the team’s pursuit of all genres, materials and geographies. It is also a case study of honoring collectors and working with families to preserve a collection’s legacy.
