Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources to help them determine the value of their items. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I can do some preliminary research to get them started. So, these are market values based on prices I find on the web, not appraisal for insurance purposes that I suggest for items that have been determined to be of great value.
Today’s questions are about watercolors by Haitian artist Martino Dorce and an African-style mask.
Question:
I have a collection of Martino Dorce’s watercolors and might want to sell them. I purchased them in Haiti about 1984. I have about 10-12 and they are framed. I’d like to see what some others may have auctioned for.
Answer:
The reader was responding to a blog post I wrote a few years ago after coming across a Martino Dorce painting at an auction. At the time, I was finding Haitian art for sale pretty often. Now, I’m very selective about the ones I buy – unless I come across some of the named artists – because I have a nice little stash.
I congratulate the reader for researching the paintings before selling them. That way, she’ll know what they’re worth. She may have a little problem finding many of Dorce’s works that have been sold. I could find very little information about him or his works. He apparently lives in Pasadena, CA, where in 2007 he illustrated a children’s book for a writer who was his neighbor.
Dorce is not a Georges Liautaud or a Hector Hyppolite or a Peterson Laurent, Haitian artists whose works draw big bucks. In 2013, Dorce’s watercolors sold for prices way below $100 at two auctions held by the same auction house: A set of eight watercolors sold for $35, and two singles sold for $55 and $36. Two lots of four at two separate auction houses in 2012 and 2014 did not sell.
The reader may have a difficult time selling the watercolors, especially not at the price she’s probably anticipating.
Question:
I found this wood carved mask at an estate sale in Statesville, NC. I run an antique mall named Resettlers Antique Mall in Statesville, NC. Do you have any information on this mask?
Answer:
This reader was one of two who’d picked up carved masks over the last few years and asked me for help in identifying them. The first reader had found a mask and a carved standing figure in a dumpster.
I didn’t recognize the first reader’s mask, but offered recommendations about where he might find an answer at African art galleries and museums near his home in Seattle.
I didn’t recognize the latest mask, either, but it resembled a monkey mask with the overhang over the eyes. There are so many of those carved masks out there that it’s hard to be aware of them all. I did wonder if the most recent mask had holes on both sides to hold a string. Those with holes were sometimes actually used in ceremonies (but not all). If not, it’s likely a tourist piece.
I suggest that the reader locate a shop near him that sells and imports African masks, carvings and other merchandise. Those folks are expert in what they buy and sell, and may be able to identify the mask. They may recognize features that pertain to a certain group of African peoples. The reader could also locate an auction house on the web that specializes in African items, send a photo and hope someone will respond.
Statesville is just north of Charlotte, so I’d also suggest that he try to find a gallery there that specializes in African art. I found two: House of Africa art gallery and the Africa Heritage Market. Headed east, there’s Baluba’s African Market in Greensboro. I located these on the web, and I’m assuming they’re still operating. I’d suggest giving them both a call.
If another reader recognizes the mask, please let me know in the Comments box below.
