Guide
How much is my African art worth?
Most African masks and figures in homes and attics were made for travellers and are worth tens rather than thousands. A few are important works of art – and they don't always look spectacular. These checks help you sort them.
1. How much is my African art worth? Start with the story
Write down everything you know: who acquired the piece, where, when and how. An uncle who worked in Kinshasa in the 1950s is a very different starting point from a market stall in 2005. Keep letters, photos, receipts and old labels together.
2. Identify the type and the culture
Is it a mask, a figure, a stool, a textile, a piece of jewellery? Many styles are typical of a particular people and region – Dan and Baule in Côte d'Ivoire, Yoruba in Nigeria, Fang in Gabon, Songye and Luba in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our free estimate suggests a likely attribution.
3. Look for signs of use
A mask that was danced shows wear where it rested on the face and was held, often with a darker, smoother patina inside. Figures handled for years are worn on the high points. Read how to tell authentic pieces from tourist art.
4. Check the back, the base and the inside
Fresh, pale wood in cracks or under the base, saw marks, glue and modern screws are warning signs. Old pieces often show shrinkage cracks, insect damage and native repairs.
5. Judge the quality honestly
Collectors pay for carving that is confident, balanced and expressive. Stiff, symmetrical, repetitive carving with sharp edges usually points to production for sale.
6. Note the material
Wood is the most common material. Bronze and brass pieces, beadwork and textiles each have their own markets. Ivory and other wildlife materials raise legal questions – see provenance and legal issues.
7. Don't clean or restore
Oiling, polishing, washing or repainting destroys exactly the evidence a specialist needs. Leave the piece as it is.
8. Get a second opinion before selling
The most famous cautionary tale: in 2021 a French couple sold a mask from a relative's estate to a dealer for 150 euros. In March 2022 the same piece – a rare 19th-century Fang Ngil mask from Gabon – sold at auction in Montpellier for 4.2 million euros. Get an estimate first; for promising pieces, a written appraisal. See how to sell African art.
Frequently asked questions
Is old African art always valuable?
No. Age helps, but quality, use and provenance decide the price. Many pieces made for the colonial-era souvenir trade are old but of modest value.
What is airport art?
A common term for objects made for tourists and the decorative trade, often in the style of famous traditional types. They can be well made and attractive, but they are rarely worth more than a decorative item.
Does a stand or base make it more valuable?
A stand alone doesn't, but an old custom stand by a known Paris or Brussels maker can point to an early collection and is worth noting.
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