Description (Physical description)
Figurine for loom
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Thomas label adhered to rear of object reads: '839 | Okpe | 1626 / Figurine for Loom'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
Photograph of both objects on the reverse of the catalogue card, one is labeled with the number Z 12328 which is a loom string holder
'See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria'. T.Cotterill,7/5/2001.
Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Analysis)
Wooden figure, part of a loom. It consists of a single human head with a hole running through it, perhaps to facilitate storage. It has an unusually shaped forehead, and the back of the head is flat. Details of the face such as the pupils, eyelids, lips, jaw and ears are represented. The ears are thin raised lines at the side of the head. The nose is a slim, oblong triangular shape with identifiable nostrils. The neck ends in a circular base from where the functional part emerges. A flat oblong plane below the head has a linear spiral design typical for Northern Nigeria. In this particular instance the functional part of the object is sealed at the back and scooped out to allow for the two functional legs. Each leg has one hole bored through it. Possibly this object is an okeeke, an instrument used for holding rollers on the weaving loom. It is usually situated above the head of the weaver and linked with the pedals that alternate the cotton for weaving. There are usually two sets of spun cotton for weaving. The cottons are separated alternately. This is to allow the two sets to alternate moving up and down. Each time they alternate the up and down movement, the shuttle with its cotton is passed through, thus allowing for a kind of mat weaving effect. The mechanism attached to the two sets of strings that allows for the easy to and fro rotation of the cotton sets is the okeeke. In between the prongs of the carved wood there would be a reel/roller to which the extended strings from the pedals are attached.
Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. January 2013.
Event Date 1/2013
Author: maa

Context (Field collection)
Collected by Northcote W. Thomas in Edo State, Okpe town. The inhabitants belong to the Edo ethnic group, and also identify themselves further as Okpe people. The language they speak is also referred to as Okpe. See Blench, R. M., 1995. The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. The Nigerian Field, 60, pp.29.
Purchased using money from Prof. A.A. Bevan’s subscription to the Museum’s Accessions Fund.
Event Date 12/2/2013
Author: Remke van der Velden

Description (Physical description)
Loom figure carved from wood. Elongated head with hole through rear, resting on a circular disc. The disc sits above an enclosed loom attachment with two holes drilled at either side. There is an intertwining motif carved below the disc and part of the base has been historically repaired with a ?wooden pin.
Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020

Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Loom attachment carved from wood. Elongated head with hole drilled through the back, resting on a circular disc. The disc sits above an enclosed loom attachment with a hole drilled through both sides. There is an intertwining motif carved below the disc and part of the base has been historically repaired with a metal pin.
Event Date 19/10/2021
Author: Eleanor Beestin-Sheriff