Headrest Item Number: 3420/73 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Headrest carved from a single piece of wood. The upper surface is smooth and concave, curving upwards to ends on either side. There are four legs in a row extending down to a convex base. Two end legs triangular in shape, and two centre legs diamond. Decorated with groups of five or six carved lines.

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.