A World of Belts: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America

Description

A World of Belts is the fifth book in the series devoted to ethnic jewelery and body ornamentation from the Ghysels collection. Over 40 years in the making, this remarkable collection is made up of over 5,000 extraordinary pieces, each one selected carefully for its value, significance, and innate beauty. This original book documents one of the premier collections of ethnic belts from around in the world in a magnificent array of over 200 pieces including belts, buckles, and accessories such as amulet cases, perfume, and medicine pouches. Unique pieces in this book include pubic and buttocks covers (known as "caches sexes"), needle cases, decorated loincloths, and the carved buttons used to clasp pouches to belts-all in a range of materials and craft techniques that is truly astonishing. Captions describing the provenance and use of each piece accompany the superb photographs. The book also includes a glossary, maps, and a general bibliography.

Anne Leurquin, art historian, graduated from the Universite Libre in Brussels, and is now a professor of art history and ethnology. Her various publications and contributions to exhibitions chiefly concern Africa.