Two West African Heddle Pulleys

(2) carved wood pulleys including one in the form of a stylized figure by the Baule or Guro peoples (Ivory Coast) (7 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 1 in.); and one in the form of a bird intricately carved with geometric forms to whole by Senufo or Mossi peoples (11 x 3 x 3 1/2 in.), both with stands.

From the Collection of the late Robert and Judith Weston, Detroit, Michigan

Baule peoples and their neighbors to the West, the Guro, are famous as weavers, and are known for their fine indigo-and-white cotton fabrics. Used on the traditional narrow-band loom, heddle pulleys are functional objects used to ease the movements of the heddles while separating the warp threads and allowing the shuttle to seamlessly pass through the layers of thread. Like many other carved objects used in everyday activities among the Baule, these pulleys were often embellished for the weaver’s delight. Scholars have suggested that the prominent display of pulleys, hanging over the weaver’s loom in the public place, afforded artists their best opportunity to showcase their carving skills, in the hope to attract commissions for figures and masks. The use of abstract design in this example is reminiscent of Akan gold beads and gold weights. This pulley demonstrates the efforts put by Baule carvers into beautifying the simplest functional object.'

Information courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum.

Both with small areas of surface marks; otherwise good estate condition.