Post-auction review of auction 1263 on 26th February 2025 in Brussels

The first auction of the year at Lempertz in Brussels brought in exceptional results. Many of the highlights of traditional African and Oceanic art realised hammer prices that multiplied their estimates.

The auction on 26 February was more selective and refined than the previous year's auction and featured a number of high-quality, high-priced items. The auction results confirmed the success of this strategy: with a substantial percentage of lots sold, the result of 130 per cent clearly exceeded the total estimate. Numerous international bidders made for a fantastic auction. The top item pictured on the catalogue cover, a Congo ‘Nkisi Nkondi’ figurine from family ownership in the third generation, caused quite a stir in the run-up to the auction. In a long bidding war, it was raised from the estimate of € 70,000 to over € 400,000 and sold to a bidder in the USA.

A rare Uli figurine from the collection of former FAZ correspondent Winfried Wiegand was acquired at the auction by an Irish collector for around € 140,000.

All of the highlights of the auction sold extremely well. The creation of the catalogue, entitled ‘Art & Magic’, was supervised by renowned academics.
Lempertz traditionally holds the sale of African and Oceanic art as the first auction of the new year in Brussels, which is a main centre for this form of art alongside Paris. Lempertz ranks 4th worldwide in this field.

I would be happy to answer any questions and provide print-ready images.

With kind regards,

Jan Bykowski
Press and Public Relations
info@lempertz.com
Tel. 0221 925729 -57