Guide
How to sell African art
Whether you inherited a collection or own a single mask: where and how you sell African art decides how much you actually receive – and whether a valuable piece is recognised at all.
Before you sell African art
- Sort the pieces: what looks old and used, what looks decorative, what is in a material like ivory.
- Get an idea of the value – start with a free estimate of the most interesting pieces.
- Don't clean, oil or repair anything.
- Collect every document: labels, invoices, letters, photos.
Where to sell African art
Specialist dealers buy quickly and know the field; they need a margin. Ask more than one for an offer. Auction houses with departments for African and Oceanic art – many of them in Paris and Brussels – reach international collectors and suit valuable single pieces and whole collections; they charge commissions. General auction houses and online platforms work for decorative pieces, but valuable objects risk being overlooked or underpriced.
Fairs and the market
Paris is the centre of the trade in traditional African art, with the annual Parcours des Mondes fair in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. BRAFA in Brussels and specialist dealers in New York and London are also important.
Avoid these mistakes
- Selling an estate as a job lot without having it looked at.
- Accepting the first offer from a buyer who comes to your house.
- Sending objects abroad without checking export and ivory rules.
Our fast buyer access
After your free estimate, you can register a piece for our upcoming buyer feed. Every object there comes with an independent appraisal, and your name and contact details stay private until you agree to an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do dealers pay auction prices?
No. Auction results are what buyers paid, including fees. Dealers pay less because they have to resell the piece.
Is it better to sell a collection as a whole?
Important single pieces usually bring more individually. Decorative pieces are easier to sell as a group.
Find out what your African art is worth
Upload a photo and get a free estimate in about a minute. No sign-up needed.