Heddle pulley c. 20th century

This 20th-century Senufo heddle pulley is an example of a utilitarian object that is also a work of art. The pulley's central element is a stylized human figure, carved from wood and featuring a distinctive, geometric style. The figure's simplified features and elongated limbs are characteristic of Senufo sculpture. The heddle pulley was used in the Senufo region of Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso for weaving. This piece, housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, provides insight into the practical and aesthetic traditions of the Senufo people.