Antique African mask sells for 4.2 million euros at auction in France, amid Gabonese outrage

The media reported that a unique antique African wooden mask was sold in the French city of Montpellier, worth 4.2 million euros, while Gabonese activists failed to prevent the auction.

Gabonese activists failed to prevent the auction of a unique African mask that was auctioned in the French city of Montpellier for 4.2 million euros. This was reported on Sunday by South African radio station SABC.

South African Radio said the wooden mask, which was made about 150 years ago, was used in sacred rituals by the Fang people who live in the northern regions of Gabon.

Associations in Gabon demanded that the auction not be held and that the mask be returned to the African country in the context of restoring national treasures.

They also confirmed that “the mask was stolen by the French colonial authorities and smuggled from Gabon.”

On the other hand, the auction organizers announced that they obtained the mask legally and sold it last Saturday.

Activists from Gabon said they will continue their efforts to return the mask and will achieve this through the judiciary.