Legalcultural Heritage News

Elderly couple loses court battle over $4.6 million African mask

An elderly couple in France has lost their court battle to annul the sale of a rare Gabonese mask, which they sold for €150 ($165) but later sold at auction for over €4 million ($4.4 million). The court rejected their appeal, stating that they had not taken proper measures to ascertain the true value of the mask before selling it. The couple had inherited the mask from the husband's colonial governor grandfather, and they claimed they were unaware of its market value. The court also rejected a request from the Gabonese government to suspend proceedings, as they have filed a separate lawsuit accusing the ancestor of stealing the mask. The mask is considered a highly valued artifact with great spiritual significance to the Gabonese people.