Customer Reviews

African Textiles

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This book is a wonderful source of material for anyone doing historical research on African and subgroup textiles. It has sections from Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Eastern African, etc. It goes in a good depth on the process and cultural influence of each textile and their signifigance. The illustrations are also an amazing quality with good size picture. As a Theatre Studies major, I had to research material for Nigerian costuming and this book was a nice resource to get a feel of the fabric in this region. Although this book doesn't go too much in depth about the attire Africans wore, it does go about telling what fabrics are used. This is definitely a must buy.

John Gillow's African Textiles is an inspiring review of the diverse creativity of textiles in Africa. I read this book before I travelled in south and south-eastern Africa and it helped me identify what I was seeing and its quality. A fantastic and well written resourse.

I found this terrific book by accident: from Google Images I was directed to Amazon.uk where I found this wonderful, very descriptive write up. Since it is such a thorough review of this book, I felt compelled to cut and paste it to share with you. Clearly, this book is destined to be very much the Bible on this subject:

"New in paperback, this book remains the most comprehensive survey of African textiles on the market today, illustrating in over 570 spectacular colour photographs the traditional, handcrafted, indigenous textiles of the whole continent. Covering, region by region, the handmade textiles ofWest, North, East, Central and Southern Africa, African Textiles outlines the vast array of techniques used as well as the different types of loom, materials and dyes that help to create these sumptuous textiles.With a useful glossary and map, a guide to collections open to the public, and suggestions for further reading, this book provides a wealth of information on the rich art of African textiles."

Well said. Note: 570 color photographs: I would only add: most are FULL PAGE. Truly remarkable.

Thank you Mr.Gillow!

John Gillow's AFRICAN TEXTILES: COLOR AND CREATIVITY ACROSS A CONTINENT is the first comprehensive survey to illustrate the textiles of the entire continent, region by region, covering the handmade textiles of every area and using an outline of techniques used to create the different works. Full color illustrations of items such as Pygmy bark cloth from the Congo and Ethiopian weavings makes for an outstanding presentation any library strong in African art history will relish.