Headrest Item Number: K5.36 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden neck rest with oval base that flares inwards to a curved segment with three cylindrical supports emerging from the top, and these join to the roughly rectangular top surface, which curves downward at the centre. Two rectangular elements extend down from the ends of the top segment, and each is decorated with two horizontal bands of zigzags.
History Of Use
Shona or Tswana headrest, also called a neck rest. Used when sleeping or resting; meant to support the head at the junction of the neck and head when lying down. Usually a personal object; they are portable and may also be used as a stool. In some societies, headrests were thought to channel ancestral communications through dreams.
Item History
- Made in Zimbabwe
- Owned by Berkeley Galleries Ltd. before March 1960
- Received from Berkeley Galleries Ltd. (Seller) and Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) during March 1960
What
Who
- Culture
- Shona
- Previous Owner
- Berkeley Galleries Ltd.
- Received from
- Berkeley Galleries Ltd. (Seller) and Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Zimbabwe
When
- Ownership Date
- before March 1960
- Acquisition Date
- during March 1960
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0023/0016 b