Coveted by museum curators and private collectors alike, these striking velvety embroidered raffia cloths and ceremonial appliqu skirts were created deep in the heart of the Congo by the Kuba people. The intricate, eye-dazzling abstract designs, executed in an appealing palette of vegetal dyes, have inspired innumerable artists and designers including Paul Klee, Henry Matisse, Eduardo Chillida, Georges Braque, and Tristan Tzara. A value guide makes it an invaluable reference for collectors.

This groundbreaking collaboration between an anthropologist and a mathematician constitutes both a collection of symmetrical pattern designs from many cultures and a monograph on pattern design and the classification of symmetrical patterns. Intended for art historians, anthropologists, classical archaeologists, and others interested in the study of material culture, it can also serve as a reference and inspiration for the use of symmetrical patterns in art and design. "This richly illustrated study brings to light dozens of intriguing examples of symmetrical designs, for instance, in a Zulu loincloth, a Japanese chopstick case, a New England quilt, a Tibetan 'Plaque of a Thousand Lamas,' a Hawaiian water gourd. The same pattern found in a fantastical drawing of lizards by M. C. Escher is echoed in a Fijian basket lid and an Egyptian wall mosaic." — Publishers Weekly "This extremely useful guide to classifying plane pattern designs … is extensively illustrated with carvings, textiles, baskets, tiles, and poetry, which are used as examples of various symmetry patterns." — American Anthropologist "An impressive book—both in terms of its physical appearance and its content ... will undoubtedly become the major reference on the analysis of patterns in terms of symmetry properties." — Antiquity

The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture is the most comprehensive reference work in this complex and diverse area of art history. Built on the acclaimed scholarship of the Grove Dictionary of Art, this work offers over 1,600 up-to-date entries on Islamic art and architecture ranging from the Middle East to Central and South Asia, Africa, and Europe and spans over a thousand years of history. Recent changes in Islamic art in areas such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq are elucidated here by distinguished scholars. Entries provide in-depth art historical and cultural information about dynasties, art forms, artists, architecture, rulers, monuments, archaeological sites and stylistic developments. In addition, over 500 illustrations of sculpture, mosaic, painting, ceramics, architecture, metalwork and calligraphy illuminate the rich artistic tradition of the Islamic world. With the fundamental understanding that Islamic art is not limited to a particular region, or to a defined period of time, The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture offers pathways into Islamic culture through its art.

Create style with a touch of the exotic Exciting! Inspiring! African fabrics are vibrant, beautiful, and widely available - and they are perfect for contemporary clothing for men, women, and children and great for home decor. An excellent reference for sewers or anyone who is interested in fabrics, culture, and history, this guide will teach you where to buy fabrics, how to choose the right ones, and the best techniques for sewing them. 14 original projects, including • Tote bag • Apron • Tunic • Place mats • Shawl • Pillows • Vest • Child's loom Full size patterns for three projects Covers these popular African fabrics • Mudcloth • Fancy prints • Kuba cloth • Wax prints • Korhogo cloth • Kente cloth