Congolese Wood Textile Hanger

Bound at the neck in fine cord, or perhaps fiber. A small, neat detail.

Carved from a single length of wood in the Republic of Congo in the 20th century, this textile hanger comes from a place where fine cloth was dress, gift and exchange, and the tools made for it were often given a decorative finish. The head is a flat, spade-shaped finial incised with crossing lines. The shaft then runs straight and slightly faceted to a tapered point, a little over three feet long.

The wood is deep brown with traces of red pigment showing through, smooth from handling.

A lovely, quiet finish, nothing more.