With little more than an anvil and a small box of tools, successive generations of jewelers in West Africa have developed a style of working in silver and gold renowned the world over. While many books have been published documenting jewelry artifacts of Africa, few have documented the makers, their process and their traditions until now. Part technical guide, part anthropological study, Legacy offers a glimpse into the daily lives and work habits of the jewelers of West Africa. Author Matthieu Chiminée traveled to seven countries, interviewed hundreds of craftsmen and took thousands of photographs over the course of a decade to compile this comprehensive resource. While metalsmiths in the West will be fascinated and humbled by the techniques presented here, all readers will glean insight into African culture and art as they stand today, a legacy from ancestors. In this beautiful and personal volume, readers are invited to visit the sparse market stalls, examine the heirloom tools and meet the craftsmen responsible for the living tradition of jewelry in West Africa. Legacy offers step-by-step investigations into many working processes as well as fascinating anecdotes and biographies of the artists. The book is illustrated with hundreds of beautiful photographs and offers access to a world not often visited by outsiders. Equally relevant as an instructional guide and as a profound glimpse into the artistic heritage of Africa, this book adds something fresh and dynamic to the academic study of African art. Matthieu Cheminée is a Parisian-born jeweler, photographer and teacher whose training spans three continents. As a young man he lived in Taos, New Mexico where he learned traditional jewelry techniques from Native American masters. He then moved to Mali in West Africa where he worked with jewelers and first encountered the legacy of this ancient craft. After three years in Africa, Cheminée moved to Montreal, Canada where he lives now. His time in Africa left a deep impact on the author and he has maintained strong ties to local individuals and institutions ever since. In addition to organizing conferences, Cheminée offers master classes in Canada where he passes along the techniques of West African jewelers. The revenue generated in these workshops goes back to Africa to assist jewelers and their families.