Francesco Abbate: African Art and Oceanic Art

The native art of Africa is indissolubly linked with tribal belief and custom. Art for art's sake is rare and craft objects, though frequently carved with consummate skill and decorated with great ingenuity and imagination, have almost always been designed for practical use or for specific ritual purposes.
Inevitably, the introduction of foreign cultures and religions heralded the decline of genuine art forms of real aesthetic merit. Too few now remain to provide more than a hint of what was once a rich vein of artistic tradition.
The 92 full colour illustrations in this book show masks, figurines, everyday utensils, jewellery, domestic carvings and objects of magical and mystical significance. They cover the finest art works not only of Africa but also - because of obvious affinities-of Oceania, including the unique giant statues of Easter Island.