Carved loom pulley
Maker
(woodcarver)
Title
Carved loom pulley
Date of Production
(19th century or early 20th century) 1800 - 1925
Medium
wood carving
Dimensions
Height: 20.1 cm
Width: 7 cm
Width: 7 cm
Accession Number
O.1935.RF.120
Mode of Acquisition
Roger Fry Trustees, gift, 1935
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Copyright
Work in the public domain
Location
Not currently on display
Keywords
hand weaving
heddle pulleys
heddle pulleys
Label Text
This loom pulley, used in the weaving of textiles, was made in the central belt of Côte D’Ivoire. It brings together the two artistic traditions for which West Africa is most renowned, wood carving and textile production. The Guro people inhabit a crossroads in the region. They hold a pivotal place in the history of migration and trade between its neighbouring peoples. Until the early 20th century, sculpted loom pulleys featuring humans and animals were common throughout West Africa. The Guro’s easterly neighbours, the Baule people of Côte D’Ivoire and the Asante of Ghana, as well as the Dogon of Mali up north, all have traditions of making and using similarly carved loom pulleys. Evidence of mutual influence can also be seen in the woven textiles produced in the area.
Provenance
Gift of the Roger Fry Trustees, 1935
Exhibition History
Art Made Modern - Roger Fry's Vision of Art, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 15/10/1999-23/01/2000
Literature
Art Made Modern - Roger Fry's Vision of Art, Courtauld Gallery, London, 1999-2000
cat. no. 5
cat. no. 5
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