French court denies elderly couple's plea to void 4.2 million euro sale of rare African mask

An elderly French couple’s attempt to nullify the 4.2-million-euro sale of a rare 19th-century African mask has been dismissed as frivolous.

The mask, part of a collection of African artifacts, was initially sold by the couple for a mere 150 euros, only to fetch a staggering 4.2 million euros at an auction in Montpellier.

The wooden mask, purportedly belonging to a secret society of the Fang people in Gabon, was one of only around 10 such objects still in existence, according to auctioneers.

The couple, in their eighties, sought to cancel the sale, claiming an “authentication error” and asserting that the buyer was aware of its true value.

However, the court ruled against the elderly couple, citing their failure to have the mask appraised before selling it.

The court deemed their claim as displaying “inexcusable negligence and frivolity,” stating that they were not entitled to any compensation.

The antiquities dealer involved, not an expert in African art, was also declared innocent of cheating the couple.

Despite an offer from the dealer to pay the couple 300,000 euros—the auction starting price—their children opted for legal action instead.

Following the verdict, the couple’s lawyer, Frederic Mansat-Jaffre, revealed that his clients were “dumbstruck” by the decision and are contemplating an appeal.

In a related development, the court also rejected a motion by the government of Gabon to cancel the sale and reclaim the mask, adding another layer of complexity to this intriguing legal saga.