Signs and Symbols: African Images in African American Quilts

by Maude Southwell Wahlman

African-American quilts possess two unique qualities: more than any other American visual art, they most fully realize the expressive force of jazz, and they bind together generations of African-American families who have made and cherished quilts. In Signs and Symbols, quilt expert Maude Southwell Wahlman introduces readers to a third powerful force in these quilts: their African-derived meanings, patterns, and iconography. She explores the religious, ritual, philosophical, and aesthetic beliefs that have been retained by descendants of Africans in the New World and demonstrates how these beliefs are represented in their textiles. Now back in print, Signs and Symbols remains the most complete illustrated work on this art form; featuring over 150 high-quality full-color reproductions.

Genres: Quilting, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 1993

Reviews

[Cici]

Incredible ! My entire textile practice summed up in one book. Wonderful to see connections I’ve made between the crafts and symbols of my peoples laid out and elaborated upon. Thank you Toni for telling me to read this <3

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read everything I can find on the origins and influences of African quilters. This excellent book brought it all together for me.
I fell in love with the quilters of Gees Bend and have studied their quilts and others related to them ever since. To me, this style is THE most interesting quilt style. I love how they start off with a pattern and then turn it every which way but loose! They have indelibly influenced all of my quilts.
This book had pictures and biographies of many influential African American quilters. Also a map of Africa showing which countries most of the slaves came from, and later in the book how their cultures and experiences in Africa influenced the art of their quilting.
If you have other suggestions of what I might add to my reading along this line, I would love to hear from you.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book but it didn't grab me as much as other similar books did. It's a good reference book but not great for a read on its own.

[Nann · Rating 3 out of 5]

1993 publication so some of the scholarship is likely to have been updated or augmented. (Major example is the citation to Gladys Fry's 1990 publication about Underground Railroad quilts, a theory that has been pretty extensively discredited.) I'm glad to add this to my quilt history library (and I got it for free).

[Edie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the enslaved brought to the New World came from West or Central Africa. They took little with them except their religious and cultural memories. These people covertly continued their traditions through music, dance and art.

This book shows how African-American quilts reveal signs and symbols of African origin. It was definitely worthwhile and I encourage others to read it.

[Gwen Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a discussion of the history of African American, Afro Cuban and Afro Caribbean textile and quilting. The book discussed the African roots and how that knowledge was transferred when people were enslaved and brought to the Americas.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Another excellent resource.