FAQ

Edith Ursule Mbella is an expert in Central African ritual art, a collector, an art dealer and an exhibition curator. Cameroonian and Spanish, she lives between Douala and Spain. She founded the Oba African Art Gallery in Barcelona, ran the Edith Mbella Gallery in Madrid and created Espace Bolo in Douala.

Yes. The practice is not attached to an auction house, quotes its fees in advance and declares any link with an object. The practice operates as a sole proprietorship.

From Douala and Spain, with video calls and agreed visits. The practice works in Cameroon, Spain, France and Belgium, and remotely elsewhere.

The site and exchanges are available in French, English and Spanish. French, English and Spanish are the working languages.

It is the examination of an object by a competent person, followed by a reasoned opinion on its authenticity, attribution, condition or value. It rests on observation, comparison and documentation.

Mainly Central African ritual art (statuary, masks, objects of power), the art of Cameroon and the Grassfields, as well as contemporary African art, design, textiles and diaspora collections.

Objects outside the practice’s cultural area and competence. It says so from the first exchange and can refer to a colleague. Contemporary objects outside the African field are referred to specialist colleagues.

No. It is a written, reasoned expert opinion with its reservations. The authenticity of an old object rests on a body of evidence, not on absolute certainty.

The report says so with its reasons and specifies, where possible, what the piece is: copy, object made for the market, composite piece.

Not systematically. They are useful in some cases; the practice can refer to an independent laboratory. Laboratories are chosen case by case.

Through the four-step online form, with photographs. You may also book an appointment via the contact page.

From 1 to 10: overall views (front, side, back, underneath) and details of the face, patina, marks and cavities.

Not necessarily. Examination can take place in Douala, in Spain or during an agreed visit. Appointments take place in Douala, in Spain or by video call.

It depends on the complexity of the file; a calendar is given after framing. Allow two to four weeks in general, depending on the service.

Yes, when the examination is direct and this is agreed in advance. For a direct examination, the owner’s presence is welcome.

Identification, description, analysis, provenance, reasoned conclusion, reservations and declarations. A sample report is shown on the dedicated page.

Authentication answers “what is this object?”; valuation answers “what is it worth, and for what purpose?”. The second presupposes the first.

Market value is the probable sale price; insurance value is the replacement cost. They do not always coincide.

No. It is an argued value at a given date; the actual price depends on place, timing and buyers.

Yes: inventory, authentication and valuation suited to the purpose, in liaison with the notary.

It is strongly advised: a solid file eases the sale and protects the seller.

They are quoted in writing before any work and depend on the nature of the work, never on the object’s value. The indicative scale is on the Fees page.

The first reading from photographs is free for single objects.

Appraisal fees do not depend on a sale. Any brokerage is subject to a written agreement and a declaration of the link. Brokerage fees are announced before the sale and set out in a written agreement.

It depends on their origin, the date and the conditions under which they left the country of origin, and on the applicable law. The practice does not give legal advice; consult a specialist lawyer if in doubt.

Document it honestly: incomplete provenance is not a deal-breaker, but gaps must be identified and the risk assessed.

Do not reply alone, consult a lawyer, gather the documents. The practice can document the object’s history. Documents are gathered and examined before any transaction.

No. An opinion of authenticity is not a statement that provenance is lawful.

Not always: authorisations may be required depending on countries and the nature of the object. Check before any transport. Each country has its own export rules: seek advice before shipping.

It is handled confidentially and in line with the GDPR. See the privacy policy.

No, unless you give written consent.

For a first reading, you may limit identity information; some services (formal valuation, report) require identifying the owner. The owner’s identity remains confidential and is never published.