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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

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


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

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