Africa, the art of a continent : 100 works of power and beauty

Inspired by an exhibition which was held at the Guggenheim Museum in the summer of 1996, this is an overview of the art traditions of Africa, the birthplace of human civilization and the source of some of mankind's earliest art objects.

In addition to the celebrated art of Ancient Egypt, the book presents works from the Guinea Coast, Sahel and Savanna, and North Africa. Spectacular sculptures in wood, bronze and stone, as well as painting, ceremonial pieces, ceramics, jewellery and textiles, provide evidence that, although these works were not made as "art" - a concept which the book argues was unknown to their makers - they can be enjoyed and appreciated by Western viewers purely on their aesthetic merits.

An international team of scholars explores the significance of the objects reproduced.