“Loom Heddle Pulleys in the shape of an Ox, Bird, Crane, Masked Person and a Double Faced Woman”

Who made this? An unknown African artist

Where is this artwork from? Côte d’Ivoire (Culture: Baule, Senufo and Guro)

When was this made? 19th-20th Century

What is this made of? Wood

Do you remember how we looked at a kimono and learned how most of the silk fabric in Japan is made by hand? In Africa, the people of the Baule, Senufo and Guro cultures are famous weavers, known for their handmade indigo and white cotton fabric. The wooden pulleys seen here would have been part of a traditional narrow-band loom used to make fabric. 

The heddle pulleys would be carved with masks, animals or faces of women in order to protect the weaver and inspire him to produce beautiful cloth. Wood was a very common material used for carving, together with bronze and clay, as you can see by looking at the other African artifacts in this room.

Fun Fact: Weaving and wood carving, in these cultures, are traditionally done by men.