Do you own African Art and want to know more about it?
A mysterious mask from an inheritance, an unknown figure from a flea market, a gift with no further details? Send us photos and you will receive a brief initial identification in writing.
An identification by email within a week, for CHF 25
Example of an identification: seated figure, Akan, Ghana. Terracotta.
We answer your questions and identify your objects.
Our field is traditional African Art: ritual and everyday objects such as masks, figures, jewellery, textiles, seats and vessels made for use in the communities they come from.
We do not cover contemporary African Art.
Identification
CHF 25
Per object.
- Object type, what your object is
- Materials, what it is made of and how it was made
- Culture and country, which people it comes from
- Function, what it was used for
- Comments, anything else worth mentioning
- Literature, where you can find out more about it
- Price bracket, the range comparable objects sell for
Find out what you have
A lovely keepsake, a collector’s object or a sensational find that deserves a closer look? The identification tells you where you stand.
What you receive
A PDF document like the example above: one page with a photo of your object and all the details, from type to price bracket, written by our expert. Sent by email within a week.
A few smartphone photos are enough
Photograph your object from the front, the back, both sides and underneath, ideally in daylight.
No authentication, no valuation
This is neither a confirmation of authenticity nor a valuation. The price bracket simply shows the range in which comparable objects are traded. This assessment is based solely on your photos, does not constitute a certificate and has no evidential value. African Art Advisory offers an expert appraisal with a binding valuation.
«Expertise entsteht nicht allein aus Literaturstudium und Datenbankrecherche, sondern auch aus dem direkten Umgang mit Originalen.»
Jean David, Basel
Jean David ist Experte und Auktionator für traditionelle afrikanische Kunst. Seit 1986 arbeitet er in der Galerie Walu, die seine Eltern 1957 in Basel gegründet haben. Er leitete die Abteilung für afrikanische Kunst bei Koller Auktionen und gründete 2016 Hammer Auktionen. Gerichte, Zollbehörden und Versicherungen ziehen ihn als Gutachter bei. Jede Einordnung schreibt er persönlich.
Your request
Upload a few photos and tell us what you know about the object. The identification costs CHF 25 and is paid at the end of the form.
How we handle your details is set out in the section on Privacy.
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