Magazines - Tribal Art Autumn 2009

By Sebastian Miller

Introduction
Dr. Karl-Ferdinand Schädler is well known for his substantial contributions to the field of African art. His many books on the subject serve as valuable resources for both scholars and collectors, and the sale of his collection in New York at Sotheby’s in 1999 brought many fascinating objects to light, including a notable Luba figurative axe, which deserves a seat in the pantheon of masterpieces of world art.
It was only by chance that Schädler ran into African art when his first mission as an economic adviser took him to Côte d’Ivoire in 1964, along with two engineers from Paris, to examine the preparatory transportation plan for that country. At that time, the national capital, Abidjan, was also the linchpin for African art from Liberia to Cameroon. He stayed there at the Hôtel du Parc, located on the “Plateau,” just across from the main market for African art. Of course, this market was jammed with fake and reproduction masks and sculptures, but genuine items could still be found here and there, particularly objects of daily use, such as bronze bracelets and necklaces, gold weights, and stools and chairs. At the end of his stay, he also met one of the most active individuals in the field, Samir Borro, who had a small gallery in Abidjan at that time.