- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (Jun 27 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0810917947
- ISBN-13: 978-0810917941
- Product Dimensions: 30.5 x 24.6 x 3.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 1.9 Kg
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#401,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > History > Africa > Nigeria
- #27 in Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism > Regional > African
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Arising around A.D. 800, the ancient, walled Yoruba kingdoms were complex city states headed by sacred rulers, both male and female. Their modern descendants, Yoruba-speaking peoples of Nigeria and Benin, have preserved traditional art forms rooted in a view of the cosmos as alive and in constant flux. The stunning catalogue of a traveling exhibition, this volume serves as a window onto a world where "character is beauty," where rebirth occurs continuously and where spirits, gods and the life force are all-pervasive. Naturalistic terracotta heads, beaded crowns, ceremonial staffs topped with stylized birds, and objects in ivory, bronze, stone and wood display rare artistry. Many of the pieces shown are best understood in a ritual context, provided by Drewal, an art historian at Cleveland State University, and Pemberton, a professor of religion at Amherst.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Robert Thompson has called the study of Yoruba art "the Shakespeare studies of African art" because so much research has been focused on this one African culture. This book, which accompanies a major exhibition, fully justifies all that scholarly attention. Yoruba-speaking peoples are the largest ethnic group in Africa, one which has been urbanized for over 1000 years. The visual arts of the Yoruba are thoroughly explored as aesthetic objects in their social, religious, political, and historical contexts. This book, which deserves the highest recommendation, may well be the finest example of African art scholarship yet published.
- Eugene C. Burt, Seattle
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Eugene C. Burt, Seattle
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Academic, Art Collector and Devotee Alike,
By Ifasehun Thabiti Ojedele (earth) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought (Paperback)
Academic, art collector and devotee alike enjoy this book. I have read this book about 6 or 7 times in the last 10 years. The photographs are beautiful and the text is some of the most well thought out, sensitive and enjoyable on Yoruba spirituality and culture. This is a history book, art book, anthropological study, religious reference and coffee table book in one.Save your pennies, this is a keeper.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb overview of Yoruba art,useful for all interest levels,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought (Paperback)
This examination of Yoruba art covers a lot of ground, temporally and geographically. It covers the Yoruba kingdom by kingdom, looking at historical objects within each area. Accessible even to those without any knowledge of African art, it also has lots to interest the specialist--some controversial views on women's roles in Ife art, assignment of Esie carvings to the Yoruba and some previously unassigned bronzes to Ijebu, identification of particular artists' work and more. Written by three experts who specialize in different Yoruba areas, the writing is seamless and well-edited, neither talking down to the reader nor unduly academic in tone. The accompanying illustrations are superb, and many are contextual images. This book introduces Yoruba philosophy, religion, oral literature, and political organization interwoven with art, providing an excellent cultural overview. I use it as a university text, but it would serve as a beautiful addition to the library of anyone interested in Africa, particularly those who want to know more about this creative ethnic group which has left such an impact on the cultures of the Americas.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Academic, Art Collector and Devotee Alike,
By Ifasehun Thabiti Ojedele - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought (Paperback)
Academic, art collector and devotee alike enjoy this book. I have read this book about 6 or 7 times in the last 10 years. The photographs are beautiful and the text is some of the most well thought out, sensitive and enjoyable on Yoruba spirituality and culture. This is a history book, art book, anthropological study, religious reference and coffee table book in one.Save your pennies, this is a keeper. |
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