Paris – On 23 June 2021, Christie’s in association with leading art world specialists Alain de Monbrison, Lance Entwistle, Bernard Dulon and Maître François de Ricqlès, organised the sale of Michel Périnet’s collection of African, Oceanic and North American art, realising a total of €66,069,250 /£56,907,189 / $78,531,959 and selling 100% by lot. It attracted bidders from all over the world (registered bidders from 18 countries), paying one last tribute to Michel Périnet. This sale achieved the highest total for any African & Oceanic art sale and represented the second highest total for a collection sold at Christie’s France after the Collections of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 2009.

Michel Périnet entrusted the sale of his collection to Alain de Monbrison, Lance Entwistle, Bernard Dulon and Maître François de Ricqlès who chose Christie’s auction house and its international specialists to host the sale.

The Top Lot of this sale was the rare tapuanu mask from Micronesia with a historical provenance which sold for €9,171,000 (lot 22), establishing a new world auction record for any Oceanic work of art.

Of the African works, the exceptional Gabonese Fang head, once owned by artist Maurice de Vlaminck, sold for €7,682,500 (lot 9) establishing a new world auction record for any Gabonese works of art, while an impressive Baga shoulder mask, sold for €4,700,000 (lot 17), establishing also a new world auction record and a Luba mask from The Democratic Republic of Congo – an icon of Central African art – sold for €7,224,500 (lot 43), establishing a new world auction record for any African Art mask. Further highlights included a beautiful Fang ngil mask which sold for €2,540,000 (lot 28).

The four works from Easter Island also attracted international collectors including a rapa dance paddle, which sold for €1,820,000 (lot 5). This section achieved a total of €6,152,000.

A black uli, from New Ireland in Papua New Guinea – one of only seven known to exist in the world – realised €3,140,000 (lot 23). Finally, an outstanding example of a ceremonial shield from the Solomon Islands, inlaid with elaborate designs in mother-of-pearl, sold for €1,700,000 (lot 14). Another two world auction records established for these works.

The Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac preempted a Sawos Malu Openwork Board for €400,000 showing once again the high quality of these exceptional works.