African Royal Art

Author: (USA) Briel
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Art and civilization have always been intertwined, but the artistic expressions born from African civilization possess a unique character. Objects and life are always connected, yet the utensils crafted from African daily customs hold deeper meanings. A string of beads, a round stool, a door panel, or a piece of cloth might be overlooked by other civilizations, but they are all artworks of the African people, as they may conceal the rules of kingship or the etiquette of seniority and hierarchy within their details. Here is a door—through refined text and exquisite images, you can step inside! This book reveals from various perspectives how African rulers from the 16th to the late 20th century used art and architecture to display personal and national identity and status. The theme is clear and resonates with the times. The artworks selected from some West and Central African kingdoms not only reflect the cultural characteristics of the kingdom's identity but also consider the influences of European trade and colonial rule. It is evident from the author's descriptions and the meticulous cultural explanations of numerous individual artworks that Susan Preston Briel's research has moved beyond the specialized field of royal and dynastic art to focus on broader phenomena. Chapters explore topics such as palace architecture, royal symbols of power and ceremonial rituals, women in the court, divinely granted sovereignty, national order, dynastic history, and the role of art in diplomacy and war, each presented with engaging detail. The book is richly illustrated with vivid images, including 19th-century sculptures, photographs of contemporary kings and their entourages, museum treasures, and locally preserved artworks. It also provides interpretations of symbols and graphics that represent the monarchy. The images and language used in the book fully reflect the author's ingenuity in the study of African royal art, as well as the enduring significance of the expressions of African communities who immigrated to the Americas.