Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
The essentials
- For a tribal art object, the culture, the region and the provenance (former collections, publications) give the piece its interest and value.
- The dating, the materials and any analyses are recorded with their supporting documents.
- For archaeology and protected materials, export certificates and permits are stored with the entry.
Tribal art and archaeology: what to keep track of
Masks, statues, ritual objects, ornaments, ancient ceramics: these pieces tell the story of a culture and a history. Their interest lies as much in what is known about them as in their beauty. An object whose origin, journey and former owners are unknown is hard to authenticate, to insure and to pass on.
For each piece, note the culture or people, the region of origin, the period, the materials and the function. Add everything that documents its history: former collections, sales, exhibitions, publications, scientific analyses, certificates. This information is quickly lost when it stays in a folder or in the collector’s memory.
What an object entry contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Culture / people, region / country of origin | Place the object and find it by search. |
| Period / dating | Give the estimated age of the piece. |
| Materials, function / use | Describe the object: wood, terracotta, metal, fibres; dance mask, prestige object… |
| Scientific dating (C14, thermoluminescence) | Keep the reference of the analysis and its laboratory. |
| Former collections | Trace the piece’s path from one owner to the next. |
| Export certificate / licence | Keep track of the permits that accompany the object. |
| Regulations (CITES, cultural property) | Flag a protected material or a special status. |
| Dimensions, weight, photos and documents | Describe the piece precisely and prove its condition. |
Sub-categories separate Africa, Oceania, the Americas, Asia, Mediterranean archaeology and prehistory.
Provenance, expertise, value and insurance
The opinion of a recognised expert, a scientific analysis, an old collection label: every element counts. Note who issued each document, on what date, and what it attests. The principles in our guide to the certificate of authenticity apply. Also keep the history of dated valuations rather than a single figure; our guide to preparing a valuation applies to these objects too.
The trade and movement of cultural property, archaeological pieces and objects containing protected materials are regulated, and the rules vary by country. Before any purchase, sale or shipment, check with the relevant authorities. On the insurance side, check the limit set for works of art in your policy and keep the list up to date.
Succession and inheritance
A tribal art collection passed on without its files loses much of its value, because provenance cannot be reconstructed. A documented inventory, with your wishes and the contact details of the experts to consult, helps your heirs decide. For how it is treated in an estate, consult your notary (notaire). Institutions that might take in a collection appreciate a precise inventory; see our page for foundations and museums.
Photos from your phone and sharing
Photograph each object from several angles, against a neutral background, with a scale, then the details, inscriptions, old labels and bases. For an opinion or a sale, share a selection with an expert through a read-only link, password-protected and time-limited.
With Collectalia
Collectalia keeps one entry per object: culture, region, period, materials, function, scientific dating, former collections, certificates and regulations, dimensions and weight, photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, documents, successive valuations and location. Import your existing Excel file, track loans to exhibitions, produce PDF or Excel reports and prepare your succession. Free trial, free read-only access.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.