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A tribute to Roy Sieber: Part 2

African Arts, Summer, 2003 by Christine Mullen Kreamer

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Sieber's influence set this pattern of purchasing into motion.(16) Works of art recently donated to the museum in his memory (Figs. 38, 39) acknowledge his pivotal role in building this national and international platform dedicated to the arts of Africa.(17) They also reflect collectors' affection and esteem for him.

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The scholarly articles that constitute this and the previous issue of African Arts suggest the breadth of subject matter in African art studies today, much of it the result of Sieber's pioneering work over the course of his career. Rebecca Green's discussion of Madagascar's proverb cloths, or lamba hoany, furthers our appreciation of the communicative power of African textiles fostered by Sieber more than thirty years ago (p. 30). Mary Jo Arnoldi expands the boundaries of art historical inquiry by looking at the social, political, and aesthetic contexts in play in her consideration of civic monuments in Mali (p. 56). Christraud Geary's contribution on Sieber's field photographs documents his early research interests and his focus on style and technique, topics that were picked up in different ways by his students and others whom he influenced (p. 66). The contribution by Dana Moffett and Steven Mellor on the collaboration between conservator and curator in the treatment of African art objects recalls the many conversations they had with Roy Sieber during his tenure at NMAfA, and it brings our focus squarely back to the object (p. 44).

The Moba of northern Togo have a saying in praise of their ancestors: "The field of an elder will always be cultivated if there are descendants."(18) The legacy of Roy Sieber, who nurtured the field of African art history, endures through his family, his friends, and the professional contributions of the many individuals he has guided over the years (Fig. 40). May he be proud of our work.

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25 Commemorative head (nsodie) Akan peoples, Ghana. Late 17th-early 18th century. Ceramic, 18.3cm (7.2") National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. Museum purchase, 86-12-4.

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26. Wrapper (adinkra). Asante peoples, Ghana Mid-late 19th century. Imported cotton cloth, black pigment; 210.8cm x 302.3cm (83" x 119") National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. Museum purchase, 83-3-8. This page

Left: 27 Staff (oshe Shango) Yoruba peoples, Nigeria Late 19th-early 20th century. Wood, indigo, glass beads; 41.4cm (16 3") National Museum of African Art. Smithsonian Institution. Purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, 88-1-1 Significant Nigerian acquisitions like the ones shown here were part of Sieber's effort to build NMAfA's collection of traditional art.

Right: 28. Crown (ade). Yoruba peoples, Nigeria Ca. 1930. Glass beads, plant fiber, cotton, iron; 76.2cm (30") National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. Gift or Milton F. and Frieda Rosenthal. 94-1-1.

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29 Crest mask Ejagham peoples, Nigeria. Late 19th-early 20th century Wood, antelope skin palm fiber, bamboo metal, pigment: width 86cm (339"). National Museum of African Art. Smithsonian Institution Museum purchase, 88-11-1.

A tribute to Roy Sieber: Part 2

African Arts, Summer, 2003 by Christine Mullen Kreamer

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