The motivations behind collecting are as diverse as the preferences and passions of the collectors themselves. Whether as a hobby, obsession, artistic promotion or representation, the motivations themselves are not new, historically speaking. What has changed is the cult for ‘mega collecting’. Today, the art of collecting has become a public private affair, more than it ever was before. Private collections (with big names) now form a focal point of public and media attention.

Despite this, collections of smaller treasures still exist and go largely unnoticed, even in collecting circles. These private collections include those of

- Paul Mißner (1889 – 1958), formerly restorer of the Linden-Museum, Stuttgart
- Sepp Arnemann (1917 – 2010), german caricaturist and illustrator, Hamburg
- Dr. Richard Rüegg (1923 – 1986), Zürich-based psychiatric consultant

The upcoming auction focuses on these collector’s items showcasing museum quality traditional art from Africa, Oceania and North America.