Headrest Item Number: 3420/72 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Headrest carved from a single piece of wood. The upper surface is flat and smooth, and curves upwards on either side. There are downward axe-shapes protruding at both ends. The headrest is four-legged, with all legs clustered at the centre - two at centre leaning to one side, and two end legs leaning in the opposite direction.

History Of Use

Headrests, also called neck rests. 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.

Narrative

From the collection of Dr. Arap Diop. Tchuemegne acquired headrests 3420/70-78 from Diop, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.