Mask

He may have conquered much of Europe, but time waits for no man, as Napoleon found out on May 5, 1821.

A KENT auction house has withdrawn a sacred Aboriginal artefact from sale after intervention from cultural experts and the Australian High Commission.

Just days after Sotheby’s announced the sale of a 16th century ivory mask and five other works from the Kingdom of Benin, the auctioneers said they have been withdrawn.

Munich auctioneers Hermann Historica are known internationally as experts for arms and armour, medals and historical collectibles rather than tribal art, so they were on unfamiliar territory with lot 3324 in their latest blockbuster sale held from May 2 to 11.

Wall Masks of the 1950s: Beautiful and Exotic by Horst Makus, published by Arnoldsche Art Publishers, distributed by the Antique Collectors Club, ISBN 3897901536 £35hb