Masterpieces of African Art from the Collection of the Late Werner Muensterberger - Sotheby's New - Luluwa, Sapi, Mbembe, Luba, Koro, Kotoko, Vezo, Fang, Kongo, Baule, Songye - Temne, Cross River, Kasai, Shaba, Chamba, Mumuye, Teke, Kota, Dogon, Bamana, Yoruba - U.S. (No reserve price)

This prestigious reference work documents the legendary African art collection of Dr. Werner Muensterberger (1913-2011) at Sotheby’s New York. Muensterberger—psychoanalyst, anthropologist and author of the famed work Collecting: An Unruly Passion—built an iconic collection that stands as one of the most refined private collections of the 20th century. Several top pieces from this particular sale were subsequently included in or donated to leading international museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). The catalog is an indispensable bibliographic reference work for provenance research and contains in-depth analyses of world-renowned masterpieces. The cover features the absolute highlight of the sale: the monumental and aesthetically perfect Luluwa helmet-mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The catalog is an indispensable bibliographic reference work for provenance research and contains in-depth analyses of world-renowned masterpieces. The cover features the absolute highlight of the sale: the monumental and aesthetically perfect Luluwa helmet-mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This copy forms a perfect unit with other high-quality ethnographic publications in this auction. Bidders are advised to also view the remaining lots in this sale for a unique opportunity to build a specialized library in one go.

This particular catalog substantively and historically aligns with the major single-owner auctions of Central and West African art, such as the legendary sales of Hubert Goldet’s collections (2001), Myron Kunin (2014) and Michel Périnet (2021). The pieces documented herein are directly cross-referenced with early scholarly publications and the archives of the Musée de Tervuren and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This lot concerns an extremely rare copy in absolute mint condition / deadstock. The book is in the exact state in which it left the printer and is nearly unopened. Owing to its age (14 years) and the deep black, matte cover, this specific edition is extremely sensitive to fingerprints and scratches; this copy is, however, entirely free of them. To ensure the absolute integrity of the spine and the tight binding, the photos were taken with an opening angle of less than 100°. No creases from reading, no internal discoloration and no signs of use. An impeccable archival copy for the discerning collector.

In this auction, many high-quality ethnographic publications will be offered, including Africa, Oceania, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

A unique opportunity for the development or expansion of a specialized art-historical library.

Shipping takes place with Track & Trace.

When purchasing multiple lots I apply a fair adjustment to the shipping costs, commensurate with the total volume and insured value.

Pickup is possible in The Hague, Benoordehout (2596GN).