Spirits Speak: A Celebration of African Masks (Hardcover)

by Peter Stepan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Images of outstanding African masks from the world’s leading museums and private collections reveal the splendor and majesty of these fascinating masterpieces.

The masks seen in these pages represent diversity and an aesthetic power that rivals the most renowned works of art from around the world. Originating from more than thirty countries throughout Africa, the masks featured here are shown in stunning full-page reproductions and accompanied by field photographs. Each mask reflects a strong personal and artistic vision, and embodies ancestors and beings from the spirit world. The selected masks can be identified by magic expression, noble proportions, and delicate surface detail. Enlightening commentary offers background information about the function and origins of the masks’ use within the ethnic groups from which they originate. A beautifully produced full-color foldout map places each mask in its original site, which together with the stunning reproductions, field photographs, and text, creates a magnificent celebration of African artistry and culture.

About the Author
Peter Stepan is the author of World Art: Africa (Prestel), and a number of other publications on African art. Iris Hahner is an ethnologist and author of many publications on African art, including African Masks: The Barbier-Mueller Collection (Prestel).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (October 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791332287
• ISBN-13: 978-3791332284
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #524,084 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A representative sampling of African masks from the world's leading museums and private collections, January 2, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The gorgeous Spirits Speak: A Celebration Of African Masks edited by Peter Stepan with contributions by Iris Hahner gathers a representative sampling of African masks from the world's leading museums and private collections, choosing samples which reflect powerful artistry and spiritual meaning alike. The power in Spirits Speak lies in full-page color photos of each mask making for a catalog which pairs an introductory section of history and cultural insight with plates which pack a visual punch.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, January 9, 2007

By	C. McCormick (Central Pa.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is breathtakingly beautiful, AND contains massive amounts of well-organized scholarship on African Masks. Stepan begins with a beautifully written section that, besides tackling the misunderstandings the early collectors had of these masks, reconnects the masks with the communities who created them and the ceremonies in which they were (and still are) intimately connected. The plates that follow are exquisite and fill three-quarters of the book. But, in addition to all that, each mask which is presented on a full-color, full-page plate (the pages in this book are HUGE) is then explained in the Catalogue entries (by Iris Hahner). There is also a poster map of Africa showing the masks' places of origin. I am a professor of Humanities and borrowed this book from the library a few times . . . but then HAD to have one of my own.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Celebration of African Masks, March 10, 2006

By	Arthur V. Rowe "Artista" (Sacramento,Ca,USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A wonderful book filled with great photographs and well wirtten text. Photographs illistrated, to allow the viewer to see every detail of each mask. A very informative book, almost like a museum tour, with the exception that the viewer will never see as many examples of African Masks in one place at one time. 100% Satisfaction