Leading French auction house Artcurial is set to open an office in Morocco, making it the first international auction house to establish operations on the African continent. Its next end-of-year sales will be held at Mamounia in Marrakesh on December 30. Artcurial will develop its sales of Orientalist Paintings and African Contemporary Art from the new location, two major specialisms for the company, directly related to the African continent. The auction house also intends to organise sales celebrating the great richness of Moroccan decorative arts, in areas as wide-ranging as ceramics, glassware, furniture, textiles, jewellery and antique arms. |
Amongst the major events that Artcurial has previously organised in Morocco is the legendary Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent auction that was organised to raise funds for the Fondation Jardin Majorelle in 2015. Artcurial has set numerous world records that remain unbeaten, like that held for a Jacques Majorelle work, with La Kasbah rouge, which was sold for €1,280,500 including fees on June 9, 2011. The opening of museums, setting up of foundations and launch of its fair and biennials, as well as its art scene and the emergence of prominent collectors, illustrate Morocco’s potential. |