Congolese Wood Textile Hanger

Raffia and woven cloth were stored without folding. That took a rod, and a rod took a carver.

This one is Republic of Congo, 20th century, carved wood. Thirty-five inches long, swelling slightly through the center, tapering to a fine point at one end and finished with a small knob at the other. The wood is dark, almost charcoal gray, with a subtly textured surface that catches the light along its length.

It does elegant minimalism without having heard of it.