Trading African Art at Sotheby's: A Story Told by Lions or Hunters?

The dynamics of the art market in Africa show both the social changes that are associated with the new appreciation of Africa, African heritage and African roots, and the financial prospects for the art market on the continent. The chapter traces the history of auction sales of African art internationally and discusses the postcolonial perspective some socio-cultural changes in the perception of the art of the continent worldwide. Auction sales show that African art (both contemporary and traditional) represents a growing segment of the global art market, but Western auction houses remain the only channel of promoting this art internationally; artists living outside of the continent lead the price chart while their African roots serve as some competitive advantage. The chapter poses the question to what extent impressive postcolonial changers in African art appreciation signify the decolonisation in the artistic production on the continent.