Lot: 131

92nd Tribal Art Auction

Zoomorphic heddle pulley

Côte d'Ivoire, Baule

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Michael Rhodes, New York, USA H: 9.1 inch sold

wood, old place of repair, base

A beautifully carved Baule heddle pulley depicting a fine carved bird on top.

Baule peoples and their neighbours to the West, the Guro, are famous as weavers, and are known for their fine indigo-and-white cotton fabrics. Like many other carved objects used in everyday activities among the Baule, these pulleys were often embellished for the weaver’s delight.