Skip to main content
Collections Menu
SAM'S collection
Image Not Available for Heddle Pulley
Heddle Pulley
Image Not Available for Heddle Pulley

Heddle Pulley

Date20th century
Label TextIn the notes about this pulley from the Guro of Cote d'Ivoire, the donor said, "This sculpture was brought to me from Paris by a friend in 1937. The face above an elongated neck is described as 'Modigliani-like.'" Indeed, there is a resemblance to the portraits by Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani. However, this head was rarely seen as a static image when in use by West African weavers: the spool at the bottom held warp threads in place for the weaver who watched the head move up and down in rapid succession as he worked. Such kinetic miniature sculpture transformed a basic tool into a creative aspect of the weaver's day.
Object number99.69
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, The Untold Story, November 14, 2003 - November 14, 2004
Credit LineGift of Marion H. Keyes
Dimensions11 x 4 x 2 3/4 inches
MediumWood
Heddle pulley
Guro, Cote d'Ivoire
Object number: 94.97
Mask
Guro, Cote d'Ivoire
Object number: 81.17.255
Photo: Paul Macapia
Guro, Cote d'Ivoire
Object number: 81.17.257
Staff head
Guro, Cote d'Ivoire
Object number: 81.17.258
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Guro, Cote d'Ivoire
Object number: 2006.95
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
early-mid 20th century
Object number: 2012.1.1
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
20th century
Object number: 2012.29.1
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
20th century
Object number: 2012.29.2
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
20th century
Object number: 2012.29.3
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
20th century
Object number: 2012.29.20
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
20th century
Object number: 2012.29.4.1
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Cote d'Ivoire
20th century
Object number: 2012.29.4.2