Nigerian Tribal Art [antikvár]

Foreword Though the important part played by West African art in the development of modern European painting and sculpture has now been widely recognized, there have been few opportunities for a close study, in a single large exhibition, of the full artistic range of particular national groups. Such an occasion has now been provided by the celebration of Nigerian independence, and in mounting the exhibition the Arts Council has depended heavily on the unique wealth in this field of the British Museum's collections. To its Director and Trustees, and to the Keeper of the Department of Ethnography, Mr. Adrian Digby, we therefore owe very special thanks. Generous loans have also been made by the Nigerian Museum, Lagos, the Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin, the Horniman Museum, London, the Museum für Völkerkunde, Vienna and by the other museums and private individuals whose names appear in this catalogue. We should like to thank them all for giving up these important pieces for several months. Our thanks are also due to the High Commissioner, Alhaji Abdulmaliki, and to Mr. S. Kolo, Mr. G. A. Fagbure and Mr. Ben Enwonwu. Mr. R. L. D. Jasper, now Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, while at the Commonwealth Relations Office, gave us the most friendly and valuable assistance. It is hoped that the exhibition, which will visit Manchester and Bristol as well as London, will help to create a fuller understanding in Great Britain of the artistic and technical achievements of Nigerian sculptors and bronze founders, and of the part they have played in the history of the new Federation. The choice of exhibits and the preparation of the catalogue have been carried out by Mr. William Fagg, and we count ourselves fortunate to have had his exceptional scholarship at our disposal. We are also indebted to Mr. Bernard Fagg, Director of the Department of Antiquities in Nigeria, for the help he has given us. G.W.