A GURO HEDDLE PULLEY

Provenance: Private collection Loed van Bussel, Amsterdam

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.

Guro people, Ivory Coast, West Africa
Wood, beginning of 20th century. 19 x 10 cm. Very nice patina of use.