Heddle pulley with bird head

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Description

wood, rich blackish brown patina, well-balanced forms, the long tapering beak corresponding with the neck lobe, accurate incised linear ornaments, complete with cross-bar and bobbin, acrylic base;
heddle pulleys belong to the weavers and were passed on as appreciated heirloom within the family. Because of their private character, the weaver is allowed to define their form on his own. The weaver who uses traditional methods employs so-called heddle pulleys to guide his cotton thread. These pulleys are hung over the loom and guide and hold up the chain thread which in turn holds up the heddle shafts and permits them to move up and down.

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Publications

Expo.cat.: "Oerkunsten van zwart Afrika/Arts Premiers d' Afrique Noire", by Philippe Guimiot and Lucien van de Velde, Brussels: Credit Communal de Belgique, 1977:57, #28c; Hvatum Werner, "La muse des tisserands; l' étrier de poulie d' Afrique de L'Ouest, in: Tribal Arts, Le Monde de l' ArtTribal, vol.IV, #15, 1997:82, fig.49

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Exposition

Brussels, Belgium, "Oerkunsten van zwart Afrika/Arts Premiers d' Afrique Noire", Credit Communal de Belgique, 5 March - 17 April 1977

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