A prized collection of antique African carved figures could fetch £20,000 at auction in Nantwich this week.
Leading Manchester artist Geoffrey Key is selling a host of tribal “Yoruba” art at the Peter Wilson sale because of a house move.
The Yoruba are an ancient race making up one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa.
Their craftsmen are noted for their artistic traditions of ceramics, bronze casting, weaving and sculpting, while Yoruba wood carvers are among the most prolific producers of objects for domestic and ritual use.
Called Ere ibeji, these six to 10 inch high figures are carved with the features and attributes of children who died and were cared for as if the child was still alive.
Key started collecting the figures 30 years ago.
Private collections of ibeji figures as large as his are rare, the only other of comparable size being in New York.
“They are exquisite things,” he said. “I shall be sorry to see them go but you cannotpossess everything in life. Moving house means it’s time to let someone else have the pleasure of enjoying them.”
The collection will be sold at Peter Wilson’s Nantwich auction room, Market Street, on July 11-12.
They can viewed at Victoria Gallery, Market Street on Monday July 9 from 10am-5pm; Tuesday July 10 from 10am-4pm and the morning of the sale from 9am. The sale starts at 11am.
For details contact Stephen Sparrow on 01270 623878 or [email protected]
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