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October 14th, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

A conversation between Frank and David Norden Heirmann:

How can you become an expert?

"It's like jazz, most not get a clue, because you have to listen hard and long. You should see thousands of mask before understanding the mystery. The ancient Nordens have been for three generations. My mother collected African art and the age of 6 years, I went with him to the auction. My father was African art at in his shop Lange Leemstraat, but my mother kept the best pieces for her. My father was not really an expert on Africa of the Just as my brother Jacob took over the family shop specializing in Early Music instruments. I also had the virus in Africa and opened an antique shop in Sint-double Jorispoort in 1992 - one of the antiques in general and one for tribal art. In 1998 I could buy a house in Sint Katelijnevest and began to specialize more in African masks and statues. "

What is the use of masks?

"The masks come from animistic cultures, tribes who do not believe in one God, but rather try to live in harmony with the spirits of ancestors and forces of NatureAir's. For the ritual to carve masks and statues that are the "power" by the village sorcerer. Only after this training that masks can summon the spirits and forces of NatureAir's.

As many different types of masks exist?

"The masks are" danced "during the ceremony. Has death funeral masks, masks used during the harvest, hunting masks, initiation masks. Many tribes also have disease masks to prevent and cure. The Pende tribe from Congo has splendid objects that show a split personality tormented. Figures of animals in general, represent the forces of nature. The importance of masks some however, is not yet known.

How old are these masks?

"For an African who did not age that is essential. Each generation of new masks. But some special samples are kept for generations. For an antique dealer and collector a mask must be at least fifty years, preferably with a pedigree tracing, a line of documented property to confirm the age of subject. Usually, this means that there was introduced in the colonies, or better, which was exposed permanent collections or temporary a museum. The best masks are coming wars, the most valuable pieces have already been exposed before the First World War. In museums, you find masks Whish over 600 years, but they are historical curiosities. "

Are there many fakes?

"Absolutely. There are two types of counterfeits. The art of airports" Sculptures rapid tourism market. These masks have never danced or used. Then you have the most sophisticated fakes, items artificially high and seek to give the impression of having been used in rituals. Only experts can tell the difference. There are laboratories that can date objects, but science does not know what it is. Style, patina, and how it has been carved give more clues to the experts. Real collectors buy only specialists who can give certain guarantees. If in doubt, take the parts without problem. "

Ticket price?

"You get a mask Tourist Nice EUR 50, a mask with a fine half-century of existence easily cost $ 2,000. Top pieces can go up to 200,000 euros. For most of these people, expensive masks are irrelevant because they simply couldn't make a difference. "

Who are the collectors, then?

"With the globalization of the interest in ethnic art has grow rapidly. In 1998 I started Web site now receives 3,000 visitors each week. This site has a discussion platform with 400 international members. Investigation showed that the ethnographic art constitutes only two per cent of art in general is tender. But more and more people interested in Western art are being developed interest in ethnic arts too. They buy a piece from time to time. Really collectors knowledge are rare. In Belgium, I think they are just 300. Fortunately for me, I sell worldwide to qualified customers. "

How culture is alive mask?

"We see a African renaissance, led by financial and touristic reasons. In addition, the animistic and tribal culture may be a way of expressing opposition or resistance to the colonizers (Christian and Muslim). The identity is reinforced.

Is there a relationship with carnival masks?

"Our costumes are a remnant of an ancient past. Did you know that in Germany they found masks of the nineteenth century, very similar to those Africa? Finally, we are also animals, with a layer of culture. Halloween, the pupils of Baptism, groups with signs or uniforms are in the same region where the African ritual mask. Only in our civilization has become a game, while Africans believe.

David Norden
Sint Katelijnevest 27
B2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
Tel +32 (0)3 227.35.40
https://www.african-antiques.com
https://www.buyafricanantiques.com

Frank Heirmann.
Gazet van Antwerpen
https://www.gazetvanantwerpen.be/

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