MALIAN DOGON WITH BACK-TO-BACK SEATED HUMANS HEDDLE PULLEY This Malian heddle pulley, likely originating from the Dogon or Bamana people, is a functional yet highly symbolic object used in traditional horizontal strip-weaving. Carved from a single block of dark, weathered wood, the pulley is surmounted by two seated human figures positioned back-to-back, a design that likely represents ancestral spirits or the duality of social life. The figures exhibit classic Sudanese sculptural traits, including slender limbs, pointed breasts, and serene facial expressions with high, arched foreheads and linear scarification on the arms. Between the figures, the central frame features geometric incised patterns and a small wooden roller at the base, which allowed the weaver to smoothly manipulate the warp threads. In Malian culture, weaving is often viewed as a metaphorical act of "speaking" or creation, and these ornate pulleys served to bring spiritual protection and aesthetic harmony to the weaver's workspace. $150-250
