West African Cote d’Ivoire Baule Peoples Wooden Loom Heddle Pulley

A West African Cote d’Ivoire Baule Peoples Wooden Loom Heddle Pulley Carved with a Female Head
Smooth worn lustrous patina with signs of use
Early 20th Century

Size: 16.5cm high, 6.5cm wide, 5cm deep  - 6½ ins high, 2½ ins wide, 2 ins deep
A West African Cote d’Ivoire Baule Peoples Wooden Loom Heddle Pulley Carved with a Female Head
 
The work of the 20th century artist Amedeo Modigliani in particular reflects the direct influence of Baule invention and forms. The pulley from which the double heddles of the men's horizontal loom are suspended has provided Baule sculptors with the opportunity of creating an aesthetic ‘tour de force’. They often depicted human heads, faces or helmet masks with the female portrait head carved with the attributes of feminine beauty that accord to Baule ideals.
     The weavers are always men who work out in a public place, often where many weavers gather, and passers-by greet them all. The beautifully carved pulley is therefore one of the most seen and visible works of Baule art. The looms and the men’s weaving are watched and constantly commented upon. The pulleys do not serve any amuletic or protective purpose, and do not represent a divinity or spirit. They are quite simply made to be attractive and to make people talk about them and their owner. Weavers are reported to have said that a carved pulley was simply for pleasure and that each sweep of the shuttle turned the pulley head charmingly from side to side as if it was shaking its head at the weaver.
 

West African Cote d’Ivoire Baule Peoples Wooden Loom Heddle Pulley

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enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk