Customer Reviews

African Forms: The Traditional Design and Function of Objects

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This is a gorgeous book. As a filmmaker who makes films about rituals, celebrations, and ethnic traditions, I was delighted to see how the soul and culture of the people comes accross through their objects. And these objects are beautiful - textural and detailed to the point where one can almost touch them. The photographer did a great job using lighting that gives the work a three-dimensional look. But this is more than just a great photo book. The careful explanations that accompany each one demonstrate the sophistication and refined aesthetic of people who were once easily dismissed as "primitive". I found it interesting to note how vast their use of materials was - wood, metals, beads, ceramics, etc. Although not a collector in any way, I would have been glad to own any of these objects. Better yet, I now own the book, and would definately recommend it.

297 Pages Hardback, 12" x 10.25", Hundreds of items from all over Africa illustrated in full colour. A remarkable book focusing on African Design in the following categories : Furniture, Containers, Musical Instruments, Weapons, Adornment, Textiles and Devotion. Ginzberg makes his case for the beauty of African Forms in mediums other than masks and figures, and he has chosen the items very well. Very well photographed and nicely proportioned objects on good quality paper in a very fine volume. Highly recommended.

This book is one of best African Art books so far published. Beautiful pictures, beautiful objects, carefully selected and printed on high quality paper.
If you're interested in more than African masks and fetishes. This is the one.