Heddle Pulley

About this object

Cultural context

weaving; textiles

Physical description

Heddle pulley figure. The head and neck of a woman decorate the top of this apparatus used in strip weaving. The face is long and narrow, with a small mouth, long narrow nose, and lightly carved eyes that appear closed. Ears are carved high, at the temples. A small, square hat sits atop an elaborate hairstyle carved in a zigzag pattern, which is gathered and falls thickly from the neck. The neck is thin and very long. Below is a rounded piece that would hold a spool (which does not accompany the object), with holes bored through the two vertical holding arms. A hole is also bored through the object just beneath the figure’s hat.