Pulley

Art Historical Context

### Pulley This modest yet remarkable wooden pulley, dating to the 3rd–5th century, hails from Coptic Egypt—a vibrant cultural crossroads where ancient Egyptian traditions merged with emerging Christianity, Greco-Roman influences, and daily life under Roman rule. Crafted from wood, a perishable medium that rarely survives antiquity, it measures just 6 9/16 x 2 5/16 x 1 inches, highlighting the ingenuity of Coptic woodworkers in creating durable tools for practical use, such as lifting heavy loads in homes, workshops, or early churches. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art...