Perhaps one of the greatest skills of African Americans before they were liberated from their shackles of slavery was the art of textile weaving. However, this was an ability that was not well known as historians lent their focus to their languages, practices and religious beliefs. Initially men would uphold the tradition of textile weaving, however after the Africans were sold as laborers on American soil, many things changed.

African American slaves were made to work plantation lands for their slave masters in order to supply the world’s demand for crops such as sugar, tobacco, indigo, rice and many more. The Africans were over worked and inhumanely treated. Thus somewhere during this process the men no longer adhered to the tradition of weaving African American Quilts. This was now taken up by the women.

Due to the slave trade their textiles were also bartered heavily throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and the Southern United States. Thus the traditions of each distinct region became intermixed. So when early African American quilting became a tradition it was already a combination of textile traditions reflecting the artistic expression of African aesthetic, religious and cultural traditions.

Buying an African American Quilt illustrates one’s appreciation for cultural history. In the days of slavery African American Quilts were used as methods of communication. Many of the abolitionists would weave maps and star points that would serve as guides to slaves so that they could free themselves of their oppressive masters. Several quilts also demonstrate a fusion of cultures from the Africans who were traded to Caribbean and South American plantation owners. This synchronisation of culture and religious practices were also demonstrated in their artistic expressions on these quilts.

Other African American quilts tell of their religious practices and beliefs. For instance the use of shapes such as diamonds and circles symbolized life stages, with the points of the diamond for instance representing birth, growth, death, and re-birth. These African weavers who believed in the existence of evil spirits also used these quilts as a manner of expressing this and often creating distractions for the spirits.

African American Quilts were perhaps not given the due credit as a form of artistic expression that came from the African who was enslaved. Investing in an African American Quilt means that the owner appreciates the talent and artistic representation of these people.

For more interesting tidbits on African American history visit http://www.allmattersafrican.com/ a website offering views and topical resources on issues such as African American quilters, African food and even African American art.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H

The following quidelines for collectors may be helpful for collecting crafts, collectibles, and ethnic artifacts. Collecting different categories of artifacts can be very exciting; for example, combining antique quilts with contemporary art quilts or with ethnic crafts.

1. Go for the challenge. The fun is in the hunt. Collecting on a budget can be more fun than working with unlimited funds.

2. Do the collecting yourself. You’ll learn in the doing and it’s much more fun than getting someone to do it for you.

3. Explore what it is you really like. Learn before you spend your money by reading and talking to collectors and dealers, and look, look, look.

4. Buy for the love of the work, never for appreciation or investment.

5. Evolve. Know that your taste will change as you grow and learn. At some point in time, you may edit, trade, give away, or change your collecting focus.

6. Try to specialize. You can specialize in a medium or a style. Specialization will enable you to more fully explore and learn. But, don’t lose the sense of fun.

7. Learn how to care for and store the artwork. Remember, we don’t own anything; we are merely caretakers for the next generation.

8. Don’t fret if you can’t afford works by established, nationally known artists. Forge your own territory. It’s OK to begin with small pieces. You’ll develop experience.

9. Be willing to look outside the usual venues for yet undiscovered values and unknowns.

10. Collecting is a long term process, so relax and enjoy every step.

Adapted from a presentation by Bruce W. Pepich, at a Sculpture Objects and Functional Art (SOFA). Pepich is Executive Director and Curator of Collections at the Art Museum, a sister museum of the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts in Racine, WI, where, since 1981, he has nurtured the contemporary craft collection at the museums.