Congolese Wood Textile Hanger

The center glows red. That is where the hands have been.

This textile hanger was carved from wood in the Republic of Congo in the 20th century. Cloth carried everyday and ceremonial weight in Central Africa, and objects made to handle it were often finished with a carved head. Here the head is a compact, knob-like form with incised detail, above a short, slender neck. The shaft swells gently toward the middle before tapering to a long, sharp point, forty-three inches in all.

The wood is dark brown, nearly black toward the ends.

Lay it across a shelf. It lies down beautifully.