African-INSPIRED decor is fine, but let's not promote companies (like Primitive and Douglas Dawson gallery promoted here) that sell ancient artifacts that were almost all looted-- read stolen-- from archaeological contexts, only to benefit the looters and not the rest of the country, to whom the cultural patrimony actually belongs.

Buying these artifacts encourages and promotes even more looting in the future, based on a demand for products. As an archaeologist (who also enjoys art inspired by other cultures, including ancient ones), I think that we can have our cake and eat it too here. We can buy replicas or artwork that has been inspired by the original, and have a beautiful home without destroying the archaeological record for future generations. Let's be responsible here and be respectful of other cultures' ancient heritages while we are inspired in our homes.

Well said indeed, lisao!

i admit to having a negative gut-reaction to appropriation in design - whether it's decor or clothing or hairstyles, etc. i guess it depends on the reasoning behind the choice, but overall i think there's something wrong with african-inspired decor, tiki gods adorning the retro kitchen, etc. i try not to make a big deal out of it, because most people don't really think of themselves as appropriators, however there IS a history behind it that's not so innocent.

Does anyone know where the couch in the picture is from?

on a lighter note, i think the top picture is beautiful, but I can tell you that I would be constantly tripping over all those stools... klutz I am, I try to keep the walkways clear. :)

Sofa: by Jasper Morrison for Vitra. forgot the exact name though..

Let's see, if you like ethnic or tribal art, you are a thief, whether is of a culture (appropriation) or an artifact (lisao's point). We have a theme here. And it's a weird mix of snobbery and xenophobia.

However, not to be negative myself, I'll give positive responses. While Lisao is less than accurate about the looting, I do like her point -- many cultures have continued making their artifacts, not as reproductions (bad idea), but either as continuation of the tradition an art or craft form (think very high end here) or as a contemporary interpretation of a traditional motif or form (also high end).

Some tourist trade items are surprising good. If you want to be a good consumer, you can find out how much of what you paid for an object actually goes back to the artist or the group that produced the piece. Shops that specialize in this sort of fair trade are happy to show you the documentation.

as for kadkaboom -- I suppose I'm not as bright as you are. would you care to give me a few examples of design in the United States that isn't an appropriation from another culture? My observation is that American culture is a gumbo made by magpies.

There is a case to be made that precious archaeological objects require careful preservation. But this article is not talking about precious archaeological objects being "looted"--it is talking about traditional objects being manufactured for trade.

Instead of buying "inspired by" African textiles, why not buy the real stuff, and help the creators?

But the ceremonial headdresses and nearly all carvings sold today are tourist art. No one here can afford the real artifacts, and much of what's sold as ceremonial is fake or at least a modern repro.

While I'm late to this conversation, African inspired textiles is the perfect way to embrace the art of a culture at accessible price points. Like Palmetto said no one here can afford the real artifacts. You may not want to spill food on your beautiful asooke placemat or perhaps loose the quality of an authentic mudcloth pillow sham with repeated cleaning.
Plus I like the idea of the influence of the art in colors that match my western decor. LOVE Alan Campbell's palette!
Check out www.SoHeDesignGroup.com for more African inspired home decor including an toile tea set collection.