Tabwa: The Rising of a New Moon - A Century of Tabwa (African) Art

From Preface: "...The exceptional merit of the exhibition 'The Rising of a New Moon: A Century of Tabwa Art' resides in the close collaboration of its sponsors, art historian Evan Maurer and anthropologist Allen Roberts. Thanks to their diligence, Tabwa art is presented to us in its artistic splendor and cultural context. Through their cooperative efforts, we discover that the notion of style extends beyond mere physical description. During four years of anthropological fieldwork, Roberts was immersed in Tabwa thought. He can be an excellent historian as well, and has discovered that great African art is not timeless, but must be examined in the context of history. In effect, Roberts demonstrates how the sudden apparition of powerful chiefdoms in a 'political arena of fast-moving changes,' was accompanied by the rise of certain art forms. Nor was Tabwa art born in isolation. Rather, it developed at the crossroads of Hemba and Luba worlds, according to the coherent plan of a Tabwa cosmology articulated with that which I believe I have found in the myths and rites of the Luba and related groups..." Softcover bound in Kroydon imitation leather cover, 8.5" x 11", xvi + 288 pages; contents include: extended essay by Allen Roberts, Maps, 15 Color Plates, two additional illustrated essays by Francois Neyt and Bernard de Grunne, Exhibition Catalogue with photographs and extended descriptions of 106 items from the 1986 exhibition, Catalogue Raisonne featuring 417 small black & white photos and descriptions of Tabwa objects and art, Glossary, Additional Reading list.