African arts

Arts d'Afrique No. 17 through 40 – Raoul Lehuard

Exclusive Set of 3 Luxuriously Bound Volumes in Absolute Mint Condition
This lot represents a rare opportunity for the serious collector or bibliophile of African art: an impeccable run of the influential magazine Arts d'Afrique (later continued as Art d'Afrique Noire), compiled and published by the eminent expert Raoul Lehuard.

Full run from no. 17 to no. 40.
Edition: Professionally and luxuriously bound in three uniform black volumes:
Volume I: issues 17–24 (1976–1977)
Volume II: issues 25–32 (1978–1979)
Volume III: issues 33–40 (1980–1981)

Provenance: From the private library of Dr. T. Moody. The books have been kept with utmost care and contain no stamps, ex-libris, or signatures.
Condition Report: Museum-grade & Unused
This set is in a condition rarely seen on the market:
Unread & Unopened: The pages are still tightly pressed together, a direct result of the professional trimming process during binding. The books have never been opened since (deadstock).
Trimming: The blocks are cleanly and straight cut, highlighting the pristine state of the paper.
Patina: Part 1 shows a light, natural yellowing on the outer surface of the page block (likely inherent to the publisher's paper batch). Parts 2 and 3 are still perfectly white. The gold embossing on the spine of parts 1 and 2 shows slight fading, as is often seen with this specific edition.

Content & Specialist Value
Under Raoul Lehuard's editorship, Arts d'Afrique evolved into an indispensable reference framework for African art history. Lehuard was known for his rigorous scholarly approach and his deep knowledge of Congolese art (including the Bakongo).

These issues contain crucial contributions, fieldwork, and analyses by:
Specialist knowledge: In-depth articles on iconography, authenticity, and provenance.

Collector network: Contributions and reviews of objects from the collections of the era's most renowned collectors and dealers.
Imagery: High-quality documentation of objects that are now part of major museum collections worldwide.

In this specific sequence (no. 17–40) you will find fundamental articles by, among others:
• Marie-Louise Bastin: the undisputed authority on Tshokwe art. In these issues (including no. 19) she published essential studies on Tshokwe sculpture styles.
• Joseph-Aurélien Cornet: Known for his deep knowledge of art from Zaire (now DRC). He contributed writings on the Ndengese statues (no. 17), which remain standard references.
• William Fagg: the legendary curator of the British Museum, whose expertise on Nigerian art (including Yoruba and Benin) frequently appears through cross-references and reviews in these issues.
François Neyt: During this period he published groundbreaking research on Igbo elephant masks and statuary (no. 32), linking art-historical analysis with sociological context.
• Zdenka Volavka: Her specialist contributions on the Kongo culture, such as her study of the Ndunga (no. 17), offer unique insights into the ritual functions of masks and dance.

Focus on Private Collections:
Lehuard had exclusive access to collections that set the standards in the market at the time. In these volumes, important pieces are documented from the collections of:
• Jean-Claude Meinioux: whose collection is discussed extensively in no. 17.
• Rasmussen: The sale of this famous Me Libert collection is documented in no. 32.
• Pierre and Edouard Loeb: Their influential view on African art is highlighted in this series, establishing a direct link to Parisian avant-garde and the trade in 'Arts Premiers'.

This set is more than a collection of articles; it is an archive of authenticity. Many objects depicted in these issues were later included in the catalogues of leading museums such as Quai Branly or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For the collector, these volumes provide the necessary evidentiary support and historical context (provenance) for objects from the same regions or stylistic periods.

Information for Bidders
Additional lots: Keep an eye on the auction for more works by Raoul Lehuard.

Combined shipping: Although standard shipping is handled separately, combined insured shipping is possible when purchasing the lots Arts d'Afrique 1-16 or the extended set 41-132 (+ 3 index). I will optimize the shipping costs based on total weight (up to 10 to 23 kg) and insured value.

A unique opportunity to acquire a time capsule of African art historical knowledge in pristine condition.

RRP $5,900 for the complete set from 1 to 132 in good condition (see last photo).

The 2 photos per issue were taken with extreme care (significantly less than 90°) to avoid stressing the condition of the spine. As a result, the substantive photos are somewhat limited.

Note: the last photo pertains to the lot n where issues 1-16 are located!

Potential pickup in The Hague, Benoordehout, 2596GN.