- Paperback: 144 pages
- Publisher: Tinwood; 2nd Revised edition edition (30 Jan 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0965376613
- ISBN-13: 978-0965376617
- Product Dimensions: 27.9 x 21.3 x 1.2 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,251,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Synopsis
African-American quilts possess two unique qualities: more than any other American visual art, they most fully realize the expressive force of jazz, and they bind together generations of African-American families who have made and cherished quilts. In Signs and Symbols, quilt expert Maude Southwell Wahlman introduces readers to a third powerful force in these quilts: their African-derived meanings, patterns, and iconography. She explores the religious, ritual, philosophical, and aesthetic beliefs that have been retained by descendants of Africans in the New World and demonstrates how these beliefs are represented in their textiles. Now back in print, Signs and Symbols remains the most complete illustrated work on this art form.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The use of strips is a chief construction technique, a dominant design element, and a symbolic form in West African, Caribbean, and African American textiles. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The use of strips is a chief construction technique, a dominant design element, and a symbolic form in West African, Caribbean, and African American textiles. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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4 reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
eye-opening and wonderful
31 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw the Gee's Bend exhibit and was overwhelmed by the energy, the art, and the human story in those amazing quilts. They were so different from mainstream quilts, and I wanted to find out more about African American traditions in quilting. I stumbled over Signs & Symbols at my local library and loved it. It not only has wonderful photos of quilts, but delves into the symbols and artistic structure of the quilts and how they relate to traditional African art and symbols---with plenty of photos of African textiles, amulets, etc. I'm no expert in anthropology and ethnology, but I am familiar with academic research, and I think Wahlman has presented a wealth of fascinating and compelling evidence for the relationship.
The quilts are truly stunning, the quilting (not just the piecing) shows up well in many of the photos, and dimensions are given (which I'm delighted by---I can get a feel for the measurements of the patches and blocks). This book's quilts are informing my own quilts and will be for many years. In terms of influence on my work, I put Signs & Symbols in the same category with Liberated Quiltmaking (by Gwen Marston).
Be aware, this is not a how-to book. There are no projects, and no descriptions of how to make quilts. But if you like quilt books that are filled with beautiful old quilts, and want to immerse yourself in a different and entrancing quilting tradition, you'll love this book.
The quilts are truly stunning, the quilting (not just the piecing) shows up well in many of the photos, and dimensions are given (which I'm delighted by---I can get a feel for the measurements of the patches and blocks). This book's quilts are informing my own quilts and will be for many years. In terms of influence on my work, I put Signs & Symbols in the same category with Liberated Quiltmaking (by Gwen Marston).
Be aware, this is not a how-to book. There are no projects, and no descriptions of how to make quilts. But if you like quilt books that are filled with beautiful old quilts, and want to immerse yourself in a different and entrancing quilting tradition, you'll love this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Very worthwhile read
24 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback
I started quilting about 10 years ago. I'm of American Indian ancestry. Along the years I have looked into the quilting styles of many different ethnic backgrounds: African American, Hawaiian, Japaneses (you get the idea). This is one of my favorite books. I love the visual images and details. It is a great book for academic research and for those interested in the rich history of symbolism and meaning tied to African American quilts. When I can afford a good copy it is going to be on my shelf and eventually it'll belong to my daughter (who has taken an interest in quilting/sewing).
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
History of African American Quilts
24 Aug 2010
Format:Paperback
I own 1st and 2nd editions. Whenever I learn ( self-taught ) a new craft I search for the best of books, this is a great book on the history of African American quilting techniques. I was fortunate to attend one of the author's lectures about 20 some years ago.
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