VISUAL PLEASURE

A collection of West African Islamic Teaching Tablets used by students in West Africa. Click

"I collect these objects to learn from them. In some moments these things are going to teach me something. For me, this is like a library. These are my books." - Jose Bedia, Art News

Though I don't own these beautiful artifacts 
I can gaze at the images, 
feeling the history and stories within them
.... feeling some satisfaction that they exist somewhere 
and hoping that they  are being preserved 
so that others can share in the wonder.  

Ancient Indian Manuscript. Click here

"I may have some pieces that are considered important, but most of the objects are things that evoke a feeling of visual pleasure. I think that part of the pleasure of collecting is to go out and find that great object and then introduce it into your environment." - James Marinaccio in Art and Antiques

This ancient book is part of a collection of 70 tiny books, their lead pages bound with wire. They could unlock some of the secrets of the earliest days of Christianity. Found in a cave in Jordan. Click here

Sea Excavated Artifact

Some of these tactile pieces invite holding but alas I can only look.

Ivory Inuit Amulets. click

Arrowhead, Tanzania click

Antique Afghani bone Spindle Whorls. click

 Bamana Granary Door, Mali  Click

"Certain objects are difficult to tame yet it is their very strangeness that perpetuates my curiosity and their appeal in my eyes." - Unknown Collector in Tribal Art

Wooden Atie Boat from the Ivory Coast click

"In age, variety and beauty, art from Africa is second to none. Africa had traditions of abstract art, performance art, installation art and conceptual art centuries before the West ever dreamed up the names." - Holland Cotter, The New York Times