A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects by Robell Awake

Explore the rich history of Black craftsmanship in America through ten remarkable objects and the stories of the artisans who created them. In this beautifully illustrated book, Atlanta-based chairmaker and scholar Robell Awake examines the contributions of Black makers to American art, design, and material culture.

Through ten essays, Awake introduces craftspeople whose skill, ingenuity, and artistry shaped American decorative arts, often while working under extraordinary social and economic constraints. Their work spans furniture making, ironwork, quilting, pottery, and other traditional crafts.

Among the stories featured are Richard Poynor, an enslaved craftsman whose wooden chairs established a generations-long tradition of chairmaking in Tennessee, and Philip Simmons, the celebrated blacksmith whose intricate wrought-iron gates remain a distinctive part of Charleston, South Carolina's architectural landscape.

Combining historical research with photographs and illustrations, A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects offers a closer look at the people, techniques, and traditions behind these objects, and the lasting influence of Black artisans on American craftsmanship.

• Ten illustrated essays exploring Black craft history

• Features historical and contemporary perspectives on American decorative arts

• Highlights the work of Black artisans across multiple craft traditions

• Includes photographs and illustrations of significant handcrafted objects

• Written by Atlanta-based chairmaker and scholar Robell Awake

Subject: Craft history, American decorative arts, Black artisans and craftsmanship