Doctor Michel GAUD is a man of taste whose “discerning eye” has made him a globally recognized collector of old paintings and drawings, constituting a collection sold at auction on June 20, 1987 in Monaco which has become a quality reference in this field.
Then changing direction, he fell in love with a statue from Central Africa.
Developing a “Songye mania”, he began to collect other objects from several regions of this continent. Now he has made the difficult decision to part with this large and beautiful collection built up over 50 years, with discerning collectors and large specialized galleries.
Attraction, magnetism, a true symbiosis of love, this is the same common thread that provides art lovers with inspiration and reason to live.
The MANKISHI magico-religious figures of the Songye are the heart of the Congolese sculptures in the collection of Doctor Michel GAUD.
Those of modest dimensions were used to protect the owner and his loved ones. The large figures sometimes installed on a platform in the village protected the community from diseases, attacks or natural disasters. Ritual medicinal loads were often taken upon separation from owners.
Diversity and impressive richness of this great Songye art whose expressiveness is based on the juxtaposition of elements with sometimes terrifying realism and abstraction with remarkable inventiveness.
Other countries such as Angola, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Nigeria and Mali will be represented in this sale which will have as its centerpiece a royal ivory headrest dating from the 70th century, estimated at between 000 and 80 euros.
Odile, the collector's very patient wife, helped him a lot. His very sure taste and his enthusiasm still intact. Let her be thanked here.
Expertise
Jean-Pierre LACOSTE
Contact
Sonny PALOMBA