# African Art: The Impossible Collection

- **Brand:** Assouline
- **Price:** $1,200.00
- **Catalog:** assouline
- **Retailer:** assouline
- **Product URL:** https://go.cosimo.shop/r/gAAAAABq7NkKxLIw86K-ZMOtee0Th2GshL9HcLcihaZrTgwN4zHsrYwDGWEjrNzS30l6bhVEqX_55bUDyEwfUj04Ydt_Vk0SX8fAVOIgVkiti5Updms_LC9SALEsMp1RQZOcdrKkWLJ-89jhYeyahzSoUwKQQpavAB4o5T8KkI66VqAaccy2ZilDx6xSPs_VnjhZUi2oDPVRvO9jgBoBkSZtO0dcW6h7cmdgW0J1kEtwSmhrmS7dgd6NMLT0rDrzkAq3FPIU2FnBJBYhqDdtHmHU95ydxvj68CEkaJvaOTRNvXreh1Ns3Fmhdt5ysm8KI70nDUbU9bCBrd0DqVdssAzDjy0gTbEu6c3UGImAaWWKnH8mhFs0RtuL9HEVCI7OmSXb_ddXeO-q5fFoWPwlnLhEaoTkMtLtxN546ZWh5Nb-mqSfOoQihSPvdXVX3ourHp8XTurHLqqnPLT2Pa0vREbEaz5-zth5SA==
- **GTIN:** 882664010430
- **Availability:** In stock

## Summary

Luxury hardcover art book titled 'African Art: The Impossible Collection' featuring a white cover with gold foil typography and a central image of an African mask, housed in a luxury clamshell case.

## Description

While traditional African works of art were created first and foremost in a ritual context, surely that in no way excludes their aesthetic dimension. Made by artists whose audacity, inventiveness, and virtuosic technique can never be sufficiently emphasized, African masks and sculptures—long relegated, wrongly, to the rank of mere “idols” and “fetishes”—tell us rather just how much the African continent is the bearer of thousands of histories, its traditions nourished by countless distinctive sensibilities. African Arts: The Impossible Collection is a meticulously curated book showcasing masterpieces of African art from renowned private and public collections worldwide. This volume, featuring key pieces—like a sixteenth-century Nigerian queen mother ivory pendant and a commemorative figure from Cameroon-Grassfield (both exhibited at the MET Museum)—serves as a manifesto celebrating the boldness of African artists, known and unknown. Featuring a large selection of images from photographer Vincent Girier Dufournier, the book offers a striking visual narrative that complements its rich historical insights. Perfect for collectors, poets, writers, and art amateurs, it inspires admiration for the rich and diverse heritage of African arts. Over twelve chapters that present Fang reliquaries, iconic masks, and terra-cotta pieces while also celebrating the hypnotic splendor of metal, the beauty in utility, and the notion of eternal femininity, author Bérénice Geoffroy-Schneiter dives in detail into the history of African arts, composing with her words and unique selection a true aesthetic manifesto. This edition is the first to gather the most important artworks from around the world, making it the ultimate compendium on African arts. Complimentary white gloves and a signature canvas tote bag are included with each purchase from Assouline's Ultimate Collection.

## Appearance

- **Materials:** Hardcover in a luxury clamshell

## Variants

- **In stock:** 1 of 1

| SKU | Availability |
| --- | --- |
| 41702989561940 | In stock |

## Categories

- **Categories:** Books

## Additional Attributes

- **isbn:** 9781649804310
- **tags:** endear:art, ultimate
- **author:** Bérénice Geoffroy-Schneiter
- **vendor:** ASSOULINE
- **weight:** 17.8 lb
- **language:** English
- **dimensions:** W 12 x L 15.25 x D in
- **page count:** 232 pages
- **released on:** December 2024
- **product type:** Books
- **dust regularly:** Use a soft, dry cloth or feather duster to gently remove dust from the cover and page edges.
- **shopify handle:** african-arts-the-impossible-collection
- **cover materials:** Hardcover in a luxury clamshell
- **avoid direct sunlight:** Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause fading or discoloration of the cover and pages, or melt or warp the binding, compromising the book's integrity.
- **number of illustrations:** over 150
- **use caution when opening:** Do not force the spine flat, especially on new books, as this may damage the binding.
- **handle with clean dry hands:** Always use clean, dry hands when handling your book to avoid transferring oils, dirt, or liquids onto the pages and cover.
- **keep away from sharp objects:** Sharp objects can damage the cover and pages.
- **keep away from liquids and food:** Avoid placing books near food or beverages to prevent spills and stains.
- **keep away from children and pets:** Large books are heavy and unwieldy and may cause injury.
- **store in a cool dry place on a low secure shelf:** Humidity and moisture can damage the paper and melt or warp the binding. Store books upright and closed on a flat surface, away from heat sources. Heavy books placed precariously on high shelves or surfaces may cause injury. Do not use as a storage surface.

## Enrichment

- **Type:** coffee table book
- **Type Synonyms:** art book, hardcover book, luxury book
- **Tags:** hardcover, clamshell case, gold foil lettering, illustrated cover, large format
- **Styles:** luxury, maximalist, academic
- **Category Path:** Media > Books > Print Books
- **Book cover type:** Hardcover
- **Genre:** Arts
- **Language version:** ENG- English
- **Canonical Brand:** Assouline

## Images

- ![Image 1](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/de66c1d56b6e332658bd92769be9cff0.webp)
- ![Image 2](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/77844b89f7a2d62578b4f3e8454a55dd.jpeg)
- ![Image 3](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/f58c63e028f5c32a35a2cb29910d6abf.jpeg)
- ![Image 4](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/ebc1f543c72c63a7588db90bb923188f.jpeg)
- ![Image 5](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/31aa03d617db596752f6320cefd1a161.webp)
- ![Image 6](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/d572f5576afa5dc67fb368b5b9b8b837.webp)
- ![Image 7](https://cdn.storerouter.ai/bd83d2a8b8813e906fcb4e16540f21d7/49c4030c418fefa173b8d07a1759f03c.webp)

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*Source: cosimo.shop | Product ID: 2ee7c2a3-8654-5d76-8dee-7ecfc0b1ad73 | Canonical URL: https://cosimo.shop/product/assouline/african-art-the-impossible-collection-2ee7c2a3-8654-5d76-8dee-7ecfc0b1ad73*