African and Oceanic Art Auction Raises $10,859,944

Published November 18th, 2008

Sotheby’sauction of African and Oceanic Art from the Collection of Frieda and Milton Rosenthal surpassed pre-sale estimates, bringing $10,859,944 (est. $6,849,500/ 10,808,000). This offering represents the most important collection of African and Oceanic Art to be offered in forty years in New York and is the highest total for a single-owner sale of African and Oceanic Art in New York. Three works sold for over $1 million: the Senufo Primordial Couple, bringing $4 million; An East Sepik River, Sawos, Ancestral Malu board, which achieved $1,314,500; and a Kota reliquary guardian figure, which realized $1,058,500. The sale was 86.7% sold by lot with 70% of the sold lots achieving hammer prices at or above their estimates.