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Weaver using Vertical Loom

Image Daily Life
A person weaving on a vertical loom with a standing man in a loincloth.
A weaver using a vertical loom. British Museum, No: Af,B54.33.

A monochromatic photograph depicting a person weaving on a large vertical loom, with a shirtless man wearing a patterned loincloth standing to the right. The scene is set outdoors against a backdrop of a thatched-roof dwelling and dense foliage. The loom is constructed of wooden poles and holds a light-colored textile under production. The image is a gelatin silver print, as documented by the British Museum.

Community Notes

Onyeka Nwokike

Oct 23, 2026

J Stöcker photographed this scene in Nigeria; the British Museum acquired the print in 1939 and identifies the subject as a representation of the Igbo people.

Onyeka Nwokike

Oct 23, 2026

Women traditionally operate vertical looms, including the large Nkwe looms, while men are responsible for constructing them. This gendered division of labor is central to the production of Akwete cloth. Loom materials transitioned from bamboo to wood and iron over time.

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