Gillow, John — African Textiles

San Francico, California, Chronicle Books, 2003. Hardcover. Color illustrated dustjacket, black boards with embossed title on cover. (8) 9-240 pp. features many color illustrations. Covering the handmade textiles of West, North, East, Central, and Southern Africa, "African Textiles" outlines the vast array of techniques used, including stripweaving and cut-pile raphia embroidery (methods virtually unique to the continent), tie and dye, stitched resist, applique, beadwork, shell and featherwork. Also explored are the different types of looms, materials and dyes that help to create these sumptuous textiles. In addition, the important influences on textile production---religion, culture, trade, tradition, fashion, and the changing role of women---are explored in each of the different regions of Africa, all with their own particular style. VG+ .