Auction Preview Tribal Art Special auction tribal art June 20 th, 2011 Preview June 4 th to 12 th, 2011 Numerous objects come from the Han Coray Collection, which is, alongside the Muller and Emil Storrer collections, one of the early and major collections for tribal art not only in Switzerland, but in the world. The Swiss progressive educator, gallery owner, collector and patron Han Coray (1880-1974) was the first to appreciate African art as art in his country. Also, he was a precursor of the avant-garde in his work as a gallery owner and aside from African carved works he exhibited Dada-artists as long ago as in the year 1917. Art pioneers like Hans Arp, Wilhelm Lehmbruck or Tristan Tzara belonged to his surroundings. By his own account he wanted to set a memorial for African art with his collecting. Most of his about 2000 pieces Coray acquired alone with artistic intent during the early 1920s from a major Parisian art dealer Paul Guillaume, who greatly influenced him in his taste. Against the background of financial problems the majority of the collection eventually entered into possession of the museum for ethnology of the university of Zurich. Numerous objects, which were still private property of the family, were sold to museums or to private collectors in the subsequent period. On the following pages we present you some of the highlights of this special auction. Images in high resolution are available to download at http://www.fischerauktionen.ch/downloads/objekte.aspx?type=pressinfolist. The entire catalogue is expected to be accessible at www.fischerauktionen.ch from the end of May on. All objects can be visited in the original during the preview from June 4 th to 12 th, 2011 in our house. Sincerely, Dr. Kuno Fischer
Artist of the Edo Bullhead, Benin/Nigeria Collector s number HC40 on the back. Bronze, H = 25,5 cm, Width = 23 cm CHF 120 000/180 000 EUR 92 300/138 450 Exhibition: Kunsthaus Zug, Meisterwerke afrikanischer Plastik aus Schweizer private property, Zug, June 9th to September 3rd 1995. Agnuzzo 1968, no. 61 with picture Kunsthaus Zug/Wiese Verlag (ed.), Meisterwerke afrikanischer Plastik aus Schweizer Privatbesitz (mit einem Essay von Ezio Bassani), Zug 1995, p. 26, no. 12 with picture Presumably Paul Guillaime, Paris (1920s) Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1986)
Ceremonial rod, Benin/Nigeria Brass casting, H = 138 cm CHF 25 000/30 000 EUR 19 250/23 100 Cf. Augustus Pitt-Rivers, Antique works of art from Benin, New York 1976, p. 80f. with picture Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1972/73) Mask of the Punu, Gabun Crack at the chin, the outer border is weathered, white paint only partially kept Wood, H = 34 cm CHF 20 000/30 000 EUR 15 400/23 100 Karl F. Schädler, Afrika - Maske und Skulptur, Ausstellungskatalog / Historisches Museum Olten, 1989, p. 46 Exhibition: Afrika - Maske und Skulptur, Historisches Museum Olten, 1989 Galerie Küenzi, Solothurn Swiss private collection (purchased at the above mentioned gallery in 1989) Figure Bamana, Mali Collector s number HC 96 on the bottom. Crack at the lower bar, on which the figure sits. Brass casting, H = 16,5 cm CHF 15 000/20 000 EUR 11 550/15 400 Agnuzzo 1968, no. 22 with picture Presumably Paul Guillaume, Paris Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1972)
Figure Bamana Signs of old age, oxidation. Iron, H = 14,5 cm CHF 15 000/20 000 EUR 11 400/15 200 Agnuzzo 1968, no. 21 with picture Presumably Paul Guillaume, Paris Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1979) Frog pendant, Benin/Nigeria On the reverse number of collection "HC 396" Bronze, H = 14 cm CHF 10 000/14 000 EUR 7 700/10 750 Agnuzzo 1968, no. 59 with picture Cf. Laure Meyer, Schwarzafrika - Masken, Skulpturen, Schmuckstücke. Paris 1991. p. 48 with picture Presumably Paul Guillaume, Paris Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1972) Figure Senufo, Ivory Coast Wood, H = 38 cm CHF 10 000/14 000 EUR 7 700/10 750
Throne Bamileke/Bamum, Grassland Cameroon Addition in the seat, cracks on the lower ring stabilized by a bracket, tear on an ornament of the back Wood, H = 86 cm, W. = 51 cm CHF 8 500/10 000 EUR 6 550/7 700 Galerie Beno, Zurich (1976) Figure Fante, Ghana Wood, gold plating, H = 29,5 cm CHF 7 500/10 000 EUR 5 750/7 700 Bell, Benin/Nigeria Bronze, H = 18.5 cm CHF 5 000/7 500 EUR 3 850/5 750 Cf. Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig/Grassimuseum. Kunst aus Benin - Sammlung Hans Meyer, Leipzig 2002, p. 94f. with picture Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1972) Bell, Yoruba, Nigeria Defective spot on the right hand side on the back Brass casting, H = 18 cm CHF 4 000/6 000 EUR 3 100/4 600
Knife for a ceremony, Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, brass and copper, H = 34,5 cm, H base = 27 cm CHF 2 500/4 000 EUR 1 900/3 100 Cf.. Jürgen Zwernemann/ Wulf Lohse, Aus Afrika: Ahnen - Geister - Götter, Hamburg 1985. p. 155 with picture Dr. Hans Coray, Zurich (1979) Bell, Benin/Nigeria Round bell. Resonator, with a crack on one side, pinked through two crosses, 3 holes in total Bronze, H = 13.5 cm CHF 1 500/2 000 EUR 1 150/1 550 Cf. Augustus Pitt-Rivers, Antique works of art from Benin, New York 1976, p. 66f. with picture Galerie Mythes et Masques/Art Primitif, Geneva (1991)