The Arts Premiers department is auctioning the collection of a lifetime, published many times. Around a hundred lots, mainly from Nigeria, with a rare aesthetic, brought together through numerous trips and contacts with dealers and collectors.
The Musée du Quai Branly has a permanent exhibition of pieces from the same collection.
Xavier Richer, a tireless hunter of light and a passionate collector whose aim is to pass on his passion for the arts
A leading reporter for France's most widely read magazines, an ethnology enthusiast, a publisher of travel books and a guest at society tables, Xavier Richer has made nearly a hundred trips around the world.
It was during his many stays in West Africa that he developed his taste for the art of these countries and began his collection.
This passion culminated in the publication of two works on the art of the Yoruba, for which Hélène Joubert, Chief Curator and head of the Africa heritage unit at the Musée du Quai Branly, agreed to write the texts: IBEJI, divins jumeaux, Ed. Sogomy, 2016 and Danse avec Shango, dieu du Tonnerre, Ed. Sogomy, 2018.
Xavier Richer's desire to pass on his knowledge is reflected in the permanent collections of the Musée du Quai Branly, where not only his collection of ancient beadwork but also 35 Ibeji pieces are on display.
The Ibeji: an expression of the creative richness of African art
Endowed with sacred status, ere ibeji are statuettes commissioned from master sculptors by the families of deceased twins. They are traditionally found in Nigeria and Benin.
Xavier Richer will be auctioning a selection of around thirty of these incredibly diverse sculptures on 23 January.
Est. €600 to €3,000
Surprising masks in a rare state of conservation
The expressiveness of the various African masks is particularly evident in the Richer collection, which also boasts prestigious provenance such as the Marceau Rivière collection.
This dance mask is particularly striking, not only for the quality of the braiding around the male face, but also for the fact that it still has the full length of its 50cm headdress.
Dan from Guinea 19th century
Wood, raffia, metal, feathers, leather and various materials 75x32cm
Price 12/18.000€
As for the very rare Gélédé mask in polychrome wood, its spectacular size of 120 cm features a rainbow fish or a royal python representing a Dan divinity. It was probably used in exorcism ceremonies to ward off disease and smallpox.
Nago, Benin
120 x 70 cm
Estimated at €6/8,000
A royal sceptre for the cult of the god of thunder
This object, which combines both power and elegance, features a figure of powerful proportions holding an imposing club in one hand.
It is surmounted by a maternity woman in an openwork headdress, kneeling and breastfeeding a child who appears to be full. The top features the bifid axe of the thunder god Shango, with four scarifications on each lobe indicating the sceptre's royal status.
Attributed to the master sculptor Akinyode (1875-1936) of the Esubiyi school
Abeokuta, Egba, Egbado, Nigeria
62 x 20 cm Price €4/6,000
Information and contacts
Discussion with Xavier Richer on Monday 21 January at 7pm
Department of Primitive Arts:
Romain Béot rbeot@millon.com +33 (0)7 86 86 06 56
Expert: Serge Reynes
Communication: Patricia Levy plevy@millon.com +33 (0)6 13 53 45 67
Sale Tuesday 23 January - 2.30 pm Salle VV - Quartier Drouot Paris 9e
Exhibition: Saturday 20 and Monday 21 January from 11am to 6pm and Tuesday 23 January from 10am to 12pm
