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A used goods seller in France is being sued for purportedly tricking a couple into buying an African mask at a 2,800,000% higher price.
A couple of retirees, who reside in Eure-et-Loir, located in the south-west of Paris, sold an unidentified mask to a dealer for €150 (£130). The dealer then resold the mask for €4.2m (£3.7m).
On Tuesday, as the French couple’s case was presented, the dealer made an appearance in court.
The government of Gabon and advocates argue that the unique artifact should be repatriated to its nation of origin.
The “Ngi” mask, created by the Fang people of Gabon in the 19th century, was discovered covered in dust in the attic of a holiday home in Gard, southern France. The owners had contacted a dealer as they were planning to sell their property.
The man’s grandfather, René-Victor Fournier, was a colonial administrator in Africa during the early 20th century. A wooden mask was discovered in a cupboard in his house.
The couple sold multiple items to the dealer, one of which was a wooden mask.
Six months had passed when the couple stumbled upon news in a newspaper revealing that the mask had been put into use in Montpellier. To their surprise, it was an even more scarce artifact than Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned painting.
The couple were surprised when they saw the photo and learned that it was collected in 1917 by the French colonial governor René-Victor Edward Maurice Fournier (1873-1931) during a visit to Gabon.
The revelation sparked enthusiasm among art dealers and the media, with one specialist stating on French television that there were only 10 of these items created by Fang masters.
According to the specialist, there are only 10 to 12 masks made by the various Fang masters in Gabon, making this type of mask more scarce than a Leonardo da Vinci painting, of which there are 22 known works.
In March 2022, an unidentified individual bid £3.7m over the phone to purchase the mask at an auction. The initial value of the mask was £2,60,860.
The pair eventually took legal action against the dealer for providing them with an unjustified price and requested that the transaction be voided.
At the Ales court hearing, the couple’s lawyers argued that the couple deserved just compensation for their unintentional sale of the action at £130.
Frédéric Mansat Jaffré, the lawyer representing the clients, stated to French media this month that his clients would not have sold the mask at such a low price had they known its extreme rarity. He emphasized the importance of good faith and honesty in their actions.
The Gabonese government officials claimed that the mask was initially stolen and should be returned.
Solange Bizeau, a member of the Collectif Gabon Occitanie, stated: “The mask was taken during the period of colonization… Many works of art, including those displayed in museums, were taken without permission. The artists who created them were falsely accused of practicing devil worship and were pressured to convert to Christianity. These artifacts have since been seen in Europe, benefiting those who have profited from them for years.”
“This mask possesses a spirit, as it was utilized to uphold justice in our villages. The court’s discourse has centered on morality, yet what about the morality of taking away art and our dignity? Where is the morality in such actions?”
It is anticipated that the court will make a decision in December.
Source: independent.co.uk
