Antiques Dealer's £130 African Mask Purchase Turns into £3.6 Million Legal Victory
An antiques dealer in France has won a legal battle after purchasing an African mask for £130 and later selling it for £3.6 million at auction. The judge ruled in favor of the dealer, stating that the elderly couple who sold the mask did not appreciate its historic and artistic value. The Ngil mask, originating from the Fang people of Gabon, is one of only around ten in existence. The couple had filed a lawsuit claiming they were misled about the mask's value, but the court deemed their behavior negligent. Gabon officials also sought the mask's return, but the judge rejected their claim.