New York, 17 February 2011
On 13 May, auction house Sotheby’s is hosting a sale of the famous Robert Rubin Collection of African art. It is one of the most prestigious collections of African art to be put on the market in years.
Robert Rubin (1934-2009) started collecting African art in 1970. Throughout his life, he promoted this art and made significant contributions to the artistic scene. He founded the Museum of African Art in New York and was a major figure in this domain. As a collector, he was interested in only the most remarkable pieces from each region and tribe. His collection consists of about fifty works illustrating his elegant taste and astute judgement.
The collection is valued at 4 M$ and will be exhibited at Sotheby’s from 12 to 15 April 2011. Amongst the key lots are a magnificent Dogon statuette with slanting eyes, estimated at between $800,000 and 1.2 M$; a Baule statuette from the Ivory Coast, estimated at between $600,000 and $900,000; a refined “Boyo Power” figurine from the Congo, estimated at between $150,000 and $250,000 as well as a beautiful ivory mask from Congo, on auction for the first time and estimated at between $100,000 and $150,000.