African and Oceanic Art

Although the department's origins date back to the early 1970s, it was the sale of the James Hooper collection that firmly established Christie’s as a leading force in the market for African, Oceanic and North American art. The mythical Hooper collection, auctioned over several years between 1976 and 1979, continues to embody the spirit of Christie’s auctions in this field today.

With five decades of expertise, dedication and passion, Christie’s has handled some of the most exceptional and sought-after classical artworks from sub-Saharan Africa and the Southern Pacific. Under the leadership of Hermione Waterfield — the first woman appointed Director of an African and Oceanic Art department in 1976 — and William Fagg, a renowned scholar who joined Christie’s following a distinguished curatorial career at the British Museum, Christie's pioneered the inclusion of scholarly notes in its catalogues. This tradition, which underscores the historical and academic significance of African and Oceanic art, remains central to our approach, reinforcing Christie’s long-standing leadership and commitment to excellence in the field.

Dedicated auctions of African and Oceanic Art take place in Paris, New York and online. Our live auctions and exhibitions are held alongside Christie’s Modern & Contemporary Art and Design auctions, reflecting the complementary nature of these categories and the broad appreciation of collectors across disciplines. As innovators, we offer a highly selective and passionate approach to buying and selling in this category, consistently achieving outstanding results and record-breaking prices.

Our global team of specialists is available for free and confidential valuations of individual pieces or entire collections. If you are considering buying or selling at auction, online or through Private Sales, we invite you to get in touch.