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Guillaume, Paul: African Mask, Ivory Coast

Sold for €1,900 at Bassenge Auctions on Jun 6, 2026.

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Lot description

African Mask, Ivory Coast. 1929. Vintage gelatin silver print on chamois paper. 28,6 x 21,5 cm. Annotated in French and with layout notes in pencil on the verso. - - Paul Guillaume was among a generation of dealers who embraced Cubism shortly before the First World War. He opened his first gallery in February 1914 at 6, rue de Miromesnil in Paris, promoting artists such as Giorgio de Chirico, André Derain, Jacques Lipchitz, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Francis Picabia, and Chaïm Soutine. After the exile of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler during the war, he emerged as a key figure in the Cubist market. He later moved to 59, rue La Boétie and developed a strong interest in African sculpture, which he both collected and promoted, organizing exhibitions, lending works internationally, and publishing on the subject. Photographers such as Man Ray documented pieces from his collection. The present photograph, depicting an African mask formerly in Guillaume’s collection, was likely used for publication in La Sculpture nègre primitive by Paul Guillaume and Thomas Munro (Paris: G. Crès et Cie., 1929, pl. 6; photographer not credited). – Some handling dents, small tear and ink mark in right edge, some light silver mirroring, otherwise in good condition. - - Sollten Sie detailliertere Zustandsberichte wünschen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. / Should you need more detailed condition reports, please contact us.

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