Charles Ernest SMETS (1909–c. 1987) - Lot 89

AFRICAN ARTS

John van Kessel Collection

Remained in the same family for a century

As chief of staff to Louis Franck, Minister of the Colonies, and later as his close associate at the National Bank of Belgium, John van Kessel (Antwerp, 1885) amassed over the course of his career a collection that has remained unpublished to this day: Songye, Luba, and Kongo statuary; Mangbetu ceremonial weapons; souvenirs and decorations; as well as a remarkable philatelic collection from the Belgian Congo.

The centerpiece of this philatelic collection, the archive of the 1923 Vloors series, comprises 252 proofs accompanied by correspondence exchanged regarding their creation—a rare account of the genesis of an issue that has become legendary. Also included are archival documents and personal items, including a travel trunk bearing the initials L.F. A significant collection of photographs and other items from the collection will be offered in upcoming auctions.

Also for sale

An important Janus Kota reliquary from Gabon. A collection of Lega and Bembe ivories from Kivu, formerly part of a Belgian collection, featured in Marc Leo Félix’s *White Gold, Black Hands*.

A century of painting, from the earliest Congolese picture books to contemporary art: an exceptional documentary collection centered on Djilatendo (Ibanshe, 1931), the Atelier du Hangar, Pili Pili, Mode Muntu, modern and contemporary paintings, African sculptures, and works by Africanist artists. A section of vintage photographs from other sources rounds out the auction.