Heddle Pulley Item Number: Af492 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Dark brown wood piece, half of which is u-shaped. The other half is woman's neck and head with hair pulled up into elaborate crest coiffure down centre of head from front to back. The crest has one pierced hole. Facial features are carved in relief. The hair texture is incised lines. Geometric patterns cover neck and u structure. A split through centre of piece is held together by horizontal iron rod nailed through middle of wood. A bone roller, worn down in centre, is attached at a perpendicular angle between the two stems of u structure on an iron rod; stems pierced by it.
History Of Use
Called a heddle pulley and used with a variety of African looms. Cords attached to cross bars of loom are suspended from it. A series of peddles operated by feet, or cords attached to feet, raise or lower the heddles and thus, the warp elements. Hole in hair crest would accommodate a cord for suspending loom from above.
Cultural Context
weaving; textiles
Item History
- Made in Cote d'Ivoire before 1935
- Collected during 1935
- Owned by Benno Mattel
- Owned by Erika H. Sawyer and Alan R. Sawyer before December 19, 1980
- Received from Alan R. Sawyer (Donor) and Erika H. Sawyer (Donor) on December 19, 1980
What
Who
- Culture
- Baule
- Previous Owner
- Benno Mattel, Erika H. Sawyer and Alan R. Sawyer
- Received from
- Alan R. Sawyer (Donor) and Erika H. Sawyer (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Cote d'Ivoire
When
- Creation Date
- before 1935
- Collection Date
- during 1935
- Ownership Date
- before December 19, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on December 19, 1980
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0691/0003