Short description
Studying the tribes of 49 areas south of the Sahara, this text looks at social and political structures as well as artistic production. The art is analyzed according to type - masks, statues, utensils, furniture and jewelry. Further information on artistically related tribes is also provided.
Long description
This work displays and defines the fruits of thousands of years of black African creative endeavour. All the objects included were made by Africans for their own use, spanning a period from the beginning of the first millennium to the early 20th century, before the commercial production of art aimed at the tourist trade. Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, has divided Africa south of the Sahara into 49 cultural areas. Each section studies the most important tribe within the area, surveying its social and political structures as well as its artistic production. The art is analyzed according to type - in most instances masks, statues, and everyday objects, such as utensils, furniture and jewelry. Where appropriate, further information on artistically related tribes is then provided. Each section contains its own bibliography. A detailed reference section with information on key collectors, collections open to the public and a glossary completes this publication.
Review
'An extremely detailed yet accessible look at the fantastic diversity and beauty of African work... a glimpse of Africa's creative soul' - The Sunday Times 'A very valuable research tool for those interested in looking beyond the aesthetic face of African art' - Black Arts Alliance Newsletter 'An admirable introduction which is beautifully designed and printed' - The Times Higher Education Supplement
Table of contents
- The coast of West Africa
- inland West Africa
- Nigeria and Cameroon
- Gabion and Zaire
- East and South Africa