Comments for African Art Club

Comment on NYC Tribal Art Week by Joe and Rosalie Dixler

Joe and Rosalie Dixler — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:44:24 +0000

We plan to attend the Friday evening reception, but would first like to have dinner at about 7pm at Hospoda Restaurant at the Bohemian National Hall. Is it open at that time and are reservations needed for dinner? If so, please give us the contact phone number. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Comment on Sad News about the african art database at Yale by Randy Kahn

Randy Kahn — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:31:22 +0000

I am hoping that among us there is a savvy tech person that can copy the archive (with permission) and make it available to us. I think if enough of us chipped in a nominal fee we could maintain it. It also could use a good Spring cleaning if you follow me, many pieces listed should be in the furniture section at Pier One imports, or kept for a cold winter night when the fireplace needs a new log.

Comment on Sad News about the african art database at Yale by carlo

carlo — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:53:33 +0000

I find it very sad and disturbing that only a small elite group can acces the Yale files in the future. I’ve also posted over the years several photos on the Yale files, like several private collectors, and I will ask the Yale files to retract those photos! Maybe other people can do the same and maybe this small elite group will change it’s mind and make the files again accessable to everyone.
Maybe we can start a petition against the Yale files and ask them to make the files again accessable to everyone!! I don’t have the experience to create a petition, or something else, but I would defenatly sighn up!
Yours, Carlo

Comment on Arts of the Benue River Valley by Tania

Tania — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:34:25 +0000

Some extremely interesting pieces you have displayed. Love them. Great blog by the way thanks.

Comment on Marchand d’Art Africain by bernard chambouillot

bernard chambouillot — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:31:07 +0000

ENVOIE MOI LES IMAGE

Comment on The Yale University Art Gallery – Van Rijn Photographic Archive by Geyskens Frieda

Geyskens Frieda — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:54:49 +0000

Dear Sirs, I am writing you from Belgium/Europe. I have a question.
I wonder, if anywhere in your archives, you do have information of Mr. Willem Geyskens( my late father). In the years 1960/1970, he brought a lot of African art into Europe. We (the family) are looking now for information and pictures, to where in the world,my father reached out , with his so beloved African art.
if you could help us, we would be very grateful.
Sincerely,
Frieda Geyskens
Belledreef,14
3980Tessenderlo/Belgium

Comment on NYC Tribal Art Week by Joe and Rosalie Dixler

Joe and Rosalie Dixler — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:20:34 +0000

Thank you for the information. We will be attending the show and would like to meet you and others who are part of your club! Where would that be?

Comment on Estate auction New York by Gert Froehlich/Italy

Gert Froehlich/Italy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:38:06 +0000

Dear David,
after your explanation and the moving words of the son of the owner I understand your motives.
Keep on going this way!
Sincerely
Gert

Comment on Estate auction New York by Mary K.

Mary K. — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:18:16 +0000

Dear David – - I do want to thank you for sending out the email blast for the NY estate. I immediately saw the same “junk” as everyone else did – the state of the place – etc. It would automatically turn-off a lot of people, who, as you well know already (as stated in your followup) that most people are not real hunters. They are after all the typical majority – so one should not be too surprised when you get this vocal stream of comments against it.

What they should probably not be called is SNOBS either. I do not think most reactions have anything to do with snobbery, but they were simply being outspoken and honest about what they saw from the photos – they were probably wondering – why on earth is David sending us this? I thought he had a better eye, etc…

On the other hand – I did, and I am sure there are others, who appreciated that you put this sale out there, knowing its potential, so there was no need for us to respond. I knew, when I saw the dolls, that probably there were things hidden within the trove that could be discovered. I was not appalled, but intrigued (especially since I am in the area), and knew whoever took the challenge would
probably find something there. So please do not stop letting us know about these things.

BUT – If I might be sold bold (I can’t help it – I am a New Yorker) – - what I might suggest – as you probably now already know – would be, in the future, to be certain to preface a sale like this – with statements that challenge those you are trying to reach & immediately let others know the score – such as “Beware – this estate sale is not for the timid – to find the diamond in the rough – you have to search out amongst the multitudes, this requires patience, and expect to get a
little dirty” – This way you have covered yourself and your own reputation.

I will make one other suggestion – and that would have been not to show these comments to the seller – - he was deeply hurt as was evident by his comments and lashing out calling them “snobs” – of course he would not be able to handle these very direct and brutal comments – he loved his father and would take this personally. My guess is that these people wrote these comments intending them for you, and had not written them for the seller to read, or they would have thought twice about HOW they said things. You could have easily handled it in the way that you have now – by letting people know your own travails in finding the diamonds, given all a proper tongue-lashing, and then the seller would have not needed to get involved and hurt. Whoever shows up, shows up after all.

At any rate, David – You are obviously a good, and kind-hearted person amongst this crazy world that is tribal art fanatics. Thank you for everything you do, it IS appreciated.

Comment on Estate auction New York by M & J J

M & J J — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:41:54 +0000

To Everyone Concerned:

I am replying on my husband’s account. He was so horrified at the outrage people expressed at the dirt and dust, that he showed me the pictures and the son’s reply. What on earth is wrong with these people? I am 31, and about to go bankrupt myself due to health problems associated with Celiac disease. The collection is absolutely gorgeous and should be considered a wet dream. If I had the cash, I would buy every single piece of jewellery shown in the pics. Dust wipes off. Jewellery can be polished. Furthermore, if the individuals offended are so elite, they can just order their servants to clean the new pieces. When you go to a museum, and look at all the pretty things behind the glass, remember how much of that came out of the ground, the dirt itself. And when you’re older, and your body starts to crap out on you, and the medical bills just pile up and up with no end in sight and no way to pay, and you can’t afford to have servants cleaning up after you, I hope you look back on this experience and realize just how shallow and petty you were being over an issue that, if anything, will only serve to lower the price, making this collection an excellent investment, as, once everything is cleaned and polished, its value can only increase.

To the son, I am deeply sorry for your loss, and even sorrier for the callousness and pettiness that you have had to endure during this painful time. David Norden, you owe no one an apology, we owe you and the estate holder one, and since no one else will give it, I will.

Sincerely,
M. and J. January

Comment on I owe you an Apology -African Art estate by Jyrki Lammi

Jyrki Lammi — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:14:20 +0000

I am a provincial dealer/collector/scholar of tribal and folk arts from Helsinki Finland. For me auctions like this are the reality. There are no fancy galleries or auctions in tribal arts in Finland (perhaps mine is..). I would be very happy to attend auction like this because judged by the pictures is full of potential. Also the pics were an interesting peek into the collectors world: urban anthropology! I think that the real problem are the arrogant high class galleries who can display dubious items and dictate what is genuine just because of their high status.

Comment on Estate auction New York by Alan Ribner

Alan Ribner — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:11:03 +0000

I’d love to know which five or six

-Alan

Comment on Estate auction New York by Alan Ribner

Alan Ribner — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:09:09 +0000

Thank you Mark . Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad to hear you knew my father. You so beautifully captured a slice of what he and his business was like. Even though it was a business, he had all these “regulars” who would come by for good conversation and to share a laugh.

-Alan

Comment on Estate auction New York by Madeline from the Tag Sale Company

Madeline from the Tag Sale Company — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:42:38 +0000

John, I think you are totally misinformed. Your slanderous comments should be said to my face. I work very hard and am not in cahoots with anyone. I don’t dictate who is number 1 at my sales. You could be. I don’t presell to anyone. I have even started my own number system to prevent dealers from monopolizing my sales. I find it interesting that you feel comfortable behind this electronic shield. Why don’t you have to nerve to say this to my face. I work 7 days a week, 10 hours a day… I am very reputable and transparent in dealings with my customers. So cut the garbage John. Shame on you.

Comment on I owe you an Apology -African Art estate by George N Preston, PhD

George N Preston, PhD — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:38:12 +0000

Mr. Norden,
Your response was appropriate, but the apology was not necessary. You obviously
expected too much of many of your readers who place trying to show off how smart they
are over common courtesy and decorum.

As for Alan, “a proud son,” he may not know all there is to know about antiquities but
he is certainly not ignorant of the duplicity in marketing art.
Sincerely yours,
George Nelson Preston, Ph. D.