The
Johannesburg Art Gallery is privileged to have obtained from Mr. Udo
Horstmann P.O.S., a collection 93 items
which at the time, was said to be his Southern African art collection.
However, the gallery later learned
that this was not the case. Horstmann withheld many Southern
African masterpieces by failing to mention them. Of note were a
number of complicated wooden vessels he owned, directly
related to the example shown on the cover of Art and Ambiguity. Interestingly,
the "Horstmann Collection" did include an example, but
it was missing a lid. (cat 22)
Twenty six of the
items were paid for by the Anglo American Johannesburg Trust, while the
balance of 67 objects were donated. The donation is laughable, in
that it was dependant on the sale. The reasons for
this so called donation are many. Firstly, it enabled Horstmann to dispose of
his clutter of marginal snuff bottles, bits of ordinary
beadwork and mediocre or out of context sticks.
It also created a smoke
screen if you may, which facilitated the repatriation of a hut finial
found in the area of the Lovedu "Rain
Queen", which he had earlier spirited out of the country.
(cat 88) At the same time
and unbeknown to
his long time friend Hannes Harrs, a number of Ndebele aprons were included in
the
donation, which Hannes had repeatedly asked to be returned. Apparently Horstmann felt ownership had transferred,
he having
invited Hannes to stay with him a number of times in Zug. Wow! Our guess
is that the forfeiture of the aprons was Horstmann's way of recouping the cost of
bread and butter associated with
Hannes stay.
Another
betrayal connected to the donation took place with the inclusion of catalogue numbers 89 and 92. Both are
known fabrications which Horstmann insisted be accepted
as part of the gift, apparently for no other reason then they would
then find themselves published by an important gallery. It is no secret
there were others made and who owns them.
So you ask why we
offer such a book? Ha! Jokes aside, there
are indeed a number of items in the catalogue worthy of note. Three
spectacular neck rests currently exceed the value paid for the entire collection. The
cover figures easily double the value of the collections purchase price.
A Bechwana dagger is likely the finest
example known. In
retrospect, dealer - collector - expert - extraordinaire Horstmann P.O.S., probably
kicks himself for what he once perceived as cunningness.
and
through
