A look at the rich traditions of Benin, Cameroon and other great African kingdoms. Suzanne Blier puts the arts of these royal African cultures in the context of wider cultural and religious traditions.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Many traditional African cultures, especially in west and central Africa, were ruled by complex hierarchical kingdoms. As Blier (African Vodun, LJ 4/1/95) documents so clearly, those royal systems were major patrons of art largely because the visual messages imbedded in their regalia and palace objects supported their power, position, and prestige. An introductory chapter analyzes the diverse roles that African kings played, thus providing the iconographical framework that explains the richness of Africa's royal arts. That is followed by five chapters focusing on those cultures (Benin, Yoruba, Dahomey, Asante, Cameroon, Grasslands, Kongo, and Kuba) whose kingship systems and associated objects represent some of Africa's greatest artistic achievements. Richly illustrated with over 200 photographs, most in color, Blier's text is so readable and well organized that it can be enjoyed by a wide audience. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.AEugene C. Burt, Art Inst. of Seattle Lib.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, fascinating photos, detailed text, overview weak,
By A Customer
This review is from: Royal Arts Of Africa: The Majesty of Form (Perspectives), The (Trade Version) (Paperback)
This is a rare good book. We have too little exposure to the great arts of Africa; this book is a remedy. ABy linking the art chosen to the royalty of West Afarica kingdoms, whe illustrates how close the connections were between power and art; power including raeligious and ritual power as well as temporal. The book lacked only an overview analysis to tie all the sections together amorae firmly.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent, difficult to find quality like this.,
By gemstoneone@worldnet.att.net (Pensacola, Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Royal Arts Of Africa: The Majesty of Form (Perspectives), The (Trade Version) (Paperback)
One of the finest books on African Art I have studied. I showed my copy to a business assoicate from the Republic of Congo. She is from the Kuba tribe and deals in art from this area. She asked me to get a copy for her work and a friend of hers wanted another copy. If the African people approved of the book, what else can I say. Top reference book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Diverse and rich artwork,
By
This review is from: Royal Arts Of Africa: The Majesty of Form (Perspectives), The (Trade Version) (Paperback)
An allure of this book is the many (206) illustrations of art from the kingdoms of west and central Africa. Of these, some 140 are in full colour and show the impressive skill of the court artists.
In Benin, Dahomey, Yoruba and other kingdoms, there were flourishing scenes. Each distinctive and fascinating. Readers may be familiar with the centuries of European artwork and how these varied between those countries. One thing this book makes clear is that central Africa had an equally rich and diverse history that, sadly, has not been often recognised by outsiders. The book can be read at several levels. The first and most immediate is simply an appreciation of the illustrations. A deeper level is to integrate that visual appreciation with an understanding of the cultures from which they derived.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Few subjects are as fascinating as kingship. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
soul washers, royal altar, enthronement rites, divination sign, royal icon, beaded crown, adinkra cloth, golden stool, royal history, yam festival, royal arts, royal wives, royal wealth Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Republic of Benin, The Art of Rulership Display, British Museum, Royal Art Patronage, The Benin Kingdom, Contexts of Change, The Golden Ages of Ghana, Agoli Agbo, Ibrahim Njoya, Mbanza Kongo, Osei Tutu, Benin City, King Agaja, Los Angeles, New York, Kimpa Vita, King Guezo, New Yam, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fowler Museum of Cultural History, King Agonglo, King Gbehanzin, The Art of Ridership Display, University of California, King Kot New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Few subjects are as fascinating as kingship. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
soul washers, royal altar, enthronement rites, divination sign, royal icon, beaded crown, adinkra cloth, golden stool, royal history, yam festival, royal arts, royal wives, royal wealth Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Republic of Benin, The Art of Rulership Display, British Museum, Royal Art Patronage, The Benin Kingdom, Contexts of Change, The Golden Ages of Ghana, Agoli Agbo, Ibrahim Njoya, Mbanza Kongo, Osei Tutu, Benin City, King Agaja, Los Angeles, New York, Kimpa Vita, King Guezo, New Yam, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fowler Museum of Cultural History, King Agonglo, King Gbehanzin, The Art of Ridership Display, University of California, King Kot New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
5
books
cite this book:
- Royal Courts of the Ancient Maya, Vol. 1: Theory, Comparison, and Synthesis by Takeshi Inomata on page 78
- The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful: Discourse about Values in Yoruba Culture by Barry Hallen in Back Matter
- World Views: Topics in Non-Western Art by Laurie Schneider Adams in Back Matter
- Culture and Customs of Cameroon (Culture and Customs of Africa) by John Mukum Mbaku on page 118
- African Film: Re-Imagining a Continent by Josef Gugler on page 21
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