An Elderly French couple was caught in a legal dispute with an antiques dealer over unwittingly selling an African mask for $157. They later discovered that it fetched a staggering $4.4 million at auction, according to Art Net.
Preferring to remain anonymous, the elderly couple stumbled upon the mask while clearing out their second residence. They decided to part ways with it and approached a local antiques dealer, who agreed to purchase it for a meager sum.
Several months down the line, a newspaper article caught their eye, detailing the sale of a rare African mask for an astronomical $4.4 million. They recognized they had entrusted the antiques dealer with this very mask.
Later, the couple tried to claim a share of the windfall from the antiques dealer, but he refused. They took legal action, contending that he exploited their lack of knowledge regarding the mask’s true worth.
The case is presently underway, sparking a wider conversation about the moral compass of the art market and the rights of sellers.
Some assert that the couple ought to have conducted thorough research on the mask’s value before parting with it. Conversely, others argue that the dealer bore the responsibility to disclose the true worth, even in the absence of inquiry.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of receiving a fair price for valuable possessions. When uncertain about an item’s value, seeking guidance from an expert is always a prudent course of action.
