A Mixed Bag for Tribal Art in the Stone Sale

Some of Allan Stone's tribal art that went on the block at Christie's in New York last night fared well. Some didn't.

Of the 10 tribal art pieces offered, three passed, accounting for nearly half of all unsold lots, and two fetched hammer prices just at their low estimates.

Tribal art dealer Alan Steele was not surprised by the lots that didn't sell. "They just weren't very good quality," he said.

Both of Steele's top picks — a Fine Kongo Mirror Fetish Figure and a Fine Sepik River Male Figure — beat expectations. The piece from the Democratic Republic of Congo brought $115,000 (with buyer's premium) against an estimate of $30,000 - $50,000, and the Sepik River figure fetched $265,000 (with buyer's premium) against an estimate of $120,000 - $180,000.

The Magnificent Urhobo Male Figure that tribal art dealer James Willis called the best of its kind in the world only managed to get $300,000 (hammer price) against an estimate of $300,000 - $500,000. Yesterday, Willis said that a price for this lot at the low end of its estimate could be interpreted as a sign of a weak market.

Both Songye figures featured in the sale failed to find buyers, although they are highly desirable in the market, according to Willis.

A Magnificent Urhobo Male Figure, Photo Credit: Christie's Images Ltd. 2007

A Fine Songye Power Figure, Photo Credit: Christie's Images Ltd. 2007