The Gelbard Collection sold at Bonhams New York

An Introduction by Dr. Arthur P. Bourgeois, October, 2007

I became acquainted with the Gelbards shortly after they became amassing their collection. 

Through discreet and careful purchases they were able to put together a group of objects whose breadth and scope offer an unusually rich spectrum of African Art.

Many great names in African studies found themselves attached to the collection by either curating or lecturing; Robert Farris Thompson of Yale; Maude Wahlman of UMKC; Rosalyn Walker, formerly of the National Museum of African Art; Michael Conner, formerly of the Krannert  - the list goes on.

I have always been drawn to the superb Central African pieces due to my own studies: The wonderful Yaka Mask, the regal Hemba figure, the superb Songye Kifwebe mask and the stunning Luba stool. 
One would have to be quite jaded though, to fail to appreciate the marvelous Urhobo Post Figure, or the Mossi figure that seems almost to be dancing. during the tour, everyone seemed drawn to the Senufo maternity, The Tchokwe Pwo mask, and the haunting Bakongo mask that adorned the twenty-foot long banner at the  Krannert .

Thankfully, the Gelbards have not lost their interest, enthusiasm, or passion for the Arts of Africa. Though this collection is being sold, the Gelbard photo-archives of African expressive culture, an enormous repository of photographic images, is thriving. I was privileged to have co-curated the first exhibit of images from the archives, and subsequently, a traveling exhibit that was shown in Congo.

It has been a joy to work with this material and a pleasure to add to the catalog entries with original notes from the text of the book I co-authored. I am sure that the objects from this collection will become treasures to their new owners, and I look forward to the day that I will see these "old friends" reappear in new contexts.

Dr. Arthur P. Bourgeois, October, 2007.

The Bonnefoy Lobi
Height 32in.
Ex-M. Bonnefoy.
Extensive publication history available upon request
Estimate: $120,000 - 140,000

Sold : $192,000

Related website:

To learn more about the exhibition, visit Remnants of Ritual the exhibition toured in 2003

related articles :

Ø     Bonhams New York

Ø     Dallas Museum of Arts

Curator Roz Walker is tickled to show Dallas Museum of Art visitors wonderful things from Africa they might not otherwise get to see ...
http://users.telenet.be/african-shop/dallas-museum-of-arts.htm  

Ø     Robert Farris Thompson Robert Farris Thompson comments on the symbols, aesthetics and spiritual meanings in Julie Dash's African-American movie Daughters of the Dust.
http://users.telenet.be/african-shop/daughters_of_the_dust.htm 

Related book:

Ø       Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art

NEXT Related auction : 

Next Auction May 15, 2008 for details visit: Bonhams New York

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Read also in this section:  [ Home ] [ Up ] [ the Gelbard Collection ] [ Peggy Guggenheim collection ] [ Alexis van Opstal ] [ Collecting African Art-Supernatural ] [ African Map ] [ Paul and Clara Gebauer Collection of Cameroon Art ] [ Alan Mann ] [ Jolika Collection lawsuit ] [ durand-barrere ] [ african art club January 09 ] [ fundation Beyeler ] [ Ebay looting ] [ african art terracotta ] [ African Art exhibit ] [ haitian art ]  

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