African Masks

London England: Paul Hamlyn, 1969. Hardback. Foxing to end inside covers. Slight shelf wear to edges of D/J. Slightly sunned spine to D/J. Translated by Andrew Hale from the Italian original. This fascinating book reveals, perhaps for the first time to the ordinary reader, the background of the Negro artist and his place and function in the tribe. It shows how the mask, part of a dance costume, is linked via the public ceremonial life of the tribe to the most secret religious customs. The masks are extremely varied in style, ranging from the child-like primitiveness of some from the Upper Volta to the serene sophistication of a Benin ivory. This confusing variety is carefully organised both in Frano Monti'e text and in the splendid illustrations, with their full accompanying notes, so that the reader can follow without difficulty the background to an art which has had so much influence on Western painting and sculpture. Illustrated throughout. 158 pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions ,and all types of Academic Literature.) . 1st Hamlyn Edition. Cloth. Very Good/Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Hardback.