West Africa, Ivory Coast, Guro people, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden heddle pulley with a U-shaped band slender neck, and a stylized bird head with a downward curved beak. Heddle pulleys are used on a narrow band loom to ease the movements of heddles (part of the looping mechanism of a loom) and separate the warp threads. While functional tools, pulleys were also ornamental and hung over the entrance workshops when not in use to express the care and skill the weaver had. The surface of the wood has a lustrous and silky-smooth patina from use. Size: 2.5" L x 2.25" W x 7" H (6.4 cm x 5.7 cm x 17.8 cm); 7.75" H (19.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: Ex-old private Ohio, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s; ex-private Columbus, Ohio, USA collection, 1960s

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#181727

In very fine condition with deep, darkened, shiny, aged patina. Stable pressure fissures, otherwise intact. Old collection number written on surface.