Today his name is well known thanks to the Palais Stoclet, the luxurious Brussels home created for him between 1905-11 by the famous Wiener Werkstätte designer Josef Hoffmann.
Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it is still owned by the family.
The Stoclet Palace included a special Salon Africain reserved to display a collection of African sculpture.
On October 30 pieces that were displayed in this room are to be offered at auction by Christie’s in Paris. They are making their first appearance on the market since they were acquired by Stoclet in the early decades of the 20th century, passing down by descent within the family.
Among the highlights of the collection will be a Yaka headrest from the Democratic Republic of Congo which is estimated at €300,000-500,000; a royal Luba-Shankadi stool which carries the same estimate and 10 Congolese works in ivory.
The consignment is not limited to African objects. Oceanic material includes a zoomorphic Sepik flute stopper which is guided at €30,000-50,000.
The Stoclet lots will be offered at the same time as Christie’s mixed-owner sale of tribal art but will have their own catalogue.
