Judaica ritual art

Author: Daniel Belasco and Ray Hemachandra Publisher: Lark Books (2010) ISBN-10: 160059462X ISBN-13: 9781600594625 Condition: Very Good. The cover has some light scratches and rubbing and the corners and very slightly bumped. Binding: Softcover Pages: 420 Dimensions: 20.5 x 20.5 x 2.8 cm +++ by Daniel Belasco and Ray Hemachandra +++ An illustrated showcase of handmade Jewish ritual art pieces reflecting a variety of techniques, materials, forms, and object types. Contemporary in style and lovingly handcrafted, they come from North America, Europe, and Israel, and demonstrate the diversity of Judaism. The artworks include tzedakah boxes, shofars, tallits, Shabbat candlesticks, havdalah sets, Kiddush cups, Torah pointers, kippahs, Seder plates, and dreidels.

"Makonde art can be subdivided into different areas. The Makonde traditionally carve household objects, figures and masks. After the 1930s, the Portuguese colonizers and other missionaries arrived at theMakonde plateau. They immediately showed great interest and fascination for the Makonde wood carvings and began to order different pieces, from religious to political "eminences." The Makonde sculptors, after noticing such interest, decided to carve the new pieces using pau-preto (ebony wood, Diospyros ebenum) and pau-rosa (Swartzia spp.) instead of the soft and non long-lasting wood they had used before. This first contact with the Western culture can be considered to be the first introduction of the classical European style into the traditional Makonde style.Since the 1950s years the socalled Modern Makonde Art has been developed. An essential step was the turning to abstract figures, mostly spirits,Shetani, that play a special role. This shetani style originated in the early 1950s by master carverSamaki Likankoa, whose patronMohamed Peera, an art curator in Tanzania played an instrumental and decisive role in influencing the modern makonde art movement. Some Makonde sculptors, the best known of whom isGeorge Lugwani, have embraced fully abstract style of carving without discernible figures. Makonde are also part of the important contemporary artists of Africa today. The most internationally acknowledged such artist wasGeorge Lilanga.The ex libris of ritual Makonde art are the unique Mapiko masks (singular: Lipiko), which have been used in coming-of-age rituals since before contact was made with missionaries, in the 19th century. These masks are painstakingly carved from a single block of light wood (usually 'sumaumeira brava') and may represent spirits ('shetani'), ancestors, or living characters (real or idealized). The dancer wears them so that he sees through the mask's mouth and the mask faces straight when he bends forward."Price: R550.00Edition: First editionPublished: 1974Publishers: HamlynISBN: 0600361713Condition: Hardcover in good condition, with minor shelf wear and discolouration on the corners of the cover, and top and bottom of the spine. Dust jacket has minor scuff marks around the edges - now covered in a protective plastic sleeve. Internally in very good condition - very clean and tightly bound.

Hardback. English. Publisher: Fourth Wall Publishers. 2011. New. Figuring Faith: Images of Belief in Africa arose from an exhibition of the same name at the Standard Bank Gallery in 2006, curated by Fiona Rankin-Smith. The book documents and extends the exhibition, bringing together the debates and discussions on faith and art that the exhibition gave rise to, and shedding light on the ways in which art interprets, exemplifies and challenges belief and ritual.

(This title is available on demand: expected date of dispatch will be 7-10 working days once ordered) The traditional designs known as mandalas were recognized by C. G. Jung as symbolic representations of the Self. This book is a practical guide to mandala drawing for personal growth, stress reduction, and creative expression. Fincher introduces the history and ritual use of mandalas in cultures all over the world; offers guidance in choosing art materials, techniques, and colors for the creation of personal mandalas; and discusses the symbolism of shapes, colors, numbers, and motifs, such as birds and flowers, that may appear in mandalas. She also presents several illustrated case histories of people who successfully use her techniques. Format:Paperback Pages:208