Senufo Heddle Pulley - Woman's Figure

Beautiful heddle pulley.

Date: 19/20th Century
Origin: Senufo
Country: Ivory coast
Material: Wood
Height: 20 cm

A wood pulley in the form of a stylized woman with a spindle wheel that rotates freely on the horizontal rod. The figure has breasts decorated with incised lines, an elongated neck with a face that just forward, heavy lidded eyes and dramatic crested coiffure. Heddle pulleys were used by the Senufo on narrow band looms to ease the movements of heddles - part of the looping mechanism of a loom. Although functional, they were often embellished to symbolize the skill of the weaver and were sometimes prominently displayed. 

Expected surface wear with crack, abrasions commensurate with age and use. The wood has developed a warm patina resulting from age and use.