Category Archives: Stools and headrests

stools and headrests gallery

Sleeping Beauty

HCK 0518-1 “Sleeping Beauty” Headrest, Tanzania In 2012 the Fowler Museum at UCLA hosted the exhibition Sleeping Beauties: Headrests from many parts of central, western, and southern Africa. Headrests carved by their owners while others were exquisitely crafted by professional carvers. These headrests often supported elaborate coiffures that were far too complex and time consuming … Continue reading Sleeping Beauty

Chief’s Chair

SNK 1212-76  Chockwe Chief’s Chair, Zaïre (D.R. Congo) / Angola In many societies of Central Africa, such as the Chokwe and related peoples like the Songo and the Ovimbundu, functional artefacts are transformed into prestige objects that commemorate the power and status of the chief. Chokwe chiefs possess many elaborately carved articles, including ceremonial weapons, … Continue reading Chief’s Chair

Asante Stool

     Asante Stool, Ghana H: 30 cm (11,8″), W: 46 cm (18,1″) Stools indicate status, power and succession of chiefs and kings. Carved from single blocks, Asante (or Ashanti) stools traditionally have crescent-shaped seats, flat bases and complex support structures, which exist in many designs with symbolic meaning. Most had specific names and designated users. … Continue reading Asante Stool

Dinka

   HCK 1114-2 Dinka Headrest, Sudan H: 17,5 cm (6,9″), L: 20 cm (7,9″), W: 14 cm (5,5″) Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest … Continue reading Dinka

Shilluk

     RNK 0614 – SOLD Shilluk headrest, Sudan Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of the individual. Usually, when the person … Continue reading Shilluk

Headrest

   CAK 299-57 Headrest, Nuer Nyangatom, Kenya/Ethiopia Headrests (or neckrests) are used by many nomadic people in Eastern Africa while resting or sleeping. It is popularly believed that the headrest serves a protective function by elevating the head off the ground (and sleeping mat) during sleep, thereby preventing any possible attack by snakes or insects. … Continue reading Headrest

Jinka

   CAK 299-57 Jinka, Ethiopia H: 16 cm (6,3″) Ethiopian headrests come in various forms. They are ranged from the simple to elaborately carved artifact. They have abstract shapes, nice lines, and are sometime decorated with sophisticated geometric patterns. Their styles are similar to these found among the other nomadic people of Uganda, Tanzania and … Continue reading Jinka

Headrest

   CRK 0115-7 Headrest, Ethiopia L: 21 cm (8,3″), H: 17 cm (6,7″), W: 11 cm (4,3″) Ethiopian headrests come in various forms. They are ranged from the simple to elaborately carved artifact. They have abstract shapes, nice lines, and are sometime decorated with sophisticated geometric patterns. Their styles are similar to these found among … Continue reading Headrest

Kambatta

   AMP 0697 Headrest, Kambatta, Ethiopia This piece is beautifully engraved Kambatta Headrest with geometric engravings caved from one piece of wood, beautiful patina from age and much use. Headrests are used by many nomadic people of Eastern Africa while resting or sleeping. It is popularly believed that the headrest serves a protective function by … Continue reading Kambatta

Dinka

   HCK 0608-6 Headrest/Stool, Dinka, Sudan H: 21 cm (8,3″), W: 40 cm (15,7″) Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of … Continue reading Dinka

Oromo

   HCK 0612-10 Headrest, Oromo, Ethiopia H: 15 cm (5,9″), W: 15,5 cm (6,1″) Provenance: Private Belgian collection Ethiopian headrests come in various forms. They are ranged from the simple to elaborately carved artifact. They have abstract shapes, nice lines, and are sometime decorated with sophisticated geometric patterns. Their styles are similar to these found … Continue reading Oromo

Dinka

   HCK 0613-1 – SOLD Appuie-nuque Dinka, Sudan H: 16 cm (6,3″), W: 19 cm (7,5″) Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become … Continue reading Dinka

Gurage

   JCK 0612-1 Headrest, Gurage (Sebatbet), Ethiopia H:19 cm (7,5″), W: 17 cm (6,7″) Provenance: Belgian collection. Ethiopian headrests come in various forms. They are ranged from the simple to elaborately carved artifact. They have abstract shapes, nice lines, and are sometime decorated with sophisticated geometric patterns. Their styles are similar to these found among … Continue reading Gurage

Samburu

     LCK 0604-1a Samburu, Kenya Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of the individual. Usually, when the person died, he is … Continue reading Samburu

Turkana

   7970 Headrest, Turkana, Kenya Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of the individual. Usually, when the person died, he is … Continue reading Turkana

Turkana

   LCK 0604-2a Turkana, Kenya Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of the individual. Usually, when the person died, he is … Continue reading Turkana

Turkana

   LCK 0604-2c Turkana, Kenya Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of the individual. Usually, when the person died, he is … Continue reading Turkana

Dogon

     LCK 0702-10b SOLD Double Headed Zoomorphic Headrest, Dogon, Mali A Dogon headrest supported by a carved animal head in each end. The center has three strong feet resting on an oblong base. This headrest is carved in a hard wood and is in good condition. Dogon art is not a single fixed style as … Continue reading Dogon

Boni

   LCK 0702-16b Headrest, Boni, Somalia Men in East Africa use headrests both as pillows and as indicators of status. This type of man’s headrest is used by the Boni of northeastern Kenya and southern Somalia and by Somali nomads. Men’s headrests generally feature a smaller base that makes them somewhat unstable to sleep on, … Continue reading Boni

Samburu

     LCK 0702-17a Headrest, Samburu, Kenya Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has become part of the individual. Usually, when the person died, he … Continue reading Samburu

Ngoni

   CRK 0115-4 Headrest/Stool, Ngoni, South Africa H: 12 cm (4,7″), W: 7 cm (2,8″), L: 17 cm (6,7″) This ‘two-legged’ stool/headrest is from the Nguni tribe and is typical for a headrest/stool belonging to a man / woman who shepherd cattle. It is made in a form so that it is hard to keep … Continue reading Ngoni

Headrest

   PUK 1105-3 – SOLD Headrest/Printing Device, New Guinea, Ramu. H: 11 cm (4,3″), W: 15 cm (5,9″) Age: Before 1977. Provenance: Swedish collection This is a fine figurative headrest comes from the area around the Ramu River in the northern part of New Guinea inhabited by a creative ethnic group with a rich artistic … Continue reading Headrest

Turkana

     CRK 0115-2 Turkana Headrest with leather handle, Ethiopia H: 15 cm (5,9″), W: 9 cm (3,5″), L: 20,5 cm (8,1″) This Turkana Headrest with leather handle is from the Turkana tribe and is typical for a headrest/stool belonging to a man who shepherd cattle. It is made in a form so that it is … Continue reading Turkana

Dinka

   HCK 1112-4 – SOLD Dinka, Sudan H: 17 cm (6,7″), W: 40 cm (15,7″) Provenance: Private Belgian collection. Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the … Continue reading Dinka

Dinka

   HCK 1112-3 Dinka, Sudan H: 20 cm (7,9″), W: 47 cm (18,5″) Provenance: Private Belgian collection. Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the headrest has … Continue reading Dinka

Dinka

     LCK 0604-1b SOLD Dinka Headrest, Sudan H: 14 cm (5,5″), W: 10 cm (3,9″), L: 29 cm (11,4″) Headrests are used as pillows to help someone to have good sleep. They also used as a comfort to help protect ceremonial coiffure. In some occasions headrests are used as stool. As a personal object, the … Continue reading Dinka

Baluba Chair

     JLK 1997-13 Ceremonial Chair, Baluba (Luba), Congo H: 15 cm W: 12 cm Most Luba art relates to kings and important chiefs, who defined their power by the display of prestige objects during important ceremonies. Stools were among the most important of these objects. The ruler was literally as well as figuratively supported by … Continue reading Baluba Chair

Sidamo

   HCK 0612-2   Sidamo Headrest, Ethiopia H: 17 cm (6,7″), W: 17 cm (6,7″) Provenance: Private Belgian collection. Ethiopian headrests come in various forms. They are ranged from the simple to elaborately carved artifact. They have abstract shapes, nice lines, and are sometime decorated with sophisticated geometric patterns. Their styles are similar to these found … Continue reading Sidamo

Luba

     SNK 1212-38 Luba, (Baluba), DR Congo (Zaïre) H: 21,5 cm (8,5″), W: 7 cm (2,8″), L: 17, 5 cm (6,9″) Headrest like this finely carved one with the woman figure as a strong symbol of the heritage of matriarch societies, are among the most prized in Africa. Most Luba art relates to kings and … Continue reading Luba

Nguni

   SNK 1212-34 Nguni, South Africa H:13 cm (5,1″), L: 33 cm (13″), W: 13 (5,1″) This elegantly shaped headrest is made by the Nguni people, a nomadic tribe in South Africa. The Nguni tribe originated from the central African lake districts, moving southwards and bringing with them cattle, goats, hunting dogs and seeds for their crops. Groups … Continue reading Nguni

Shona

   SNK 1212-21 – SOLD Shona, Zimbabwe, South Africa H: 17 cm (6,7″), L: 20 cm (7,9″), W: 7 cm (2,8″) This Shona headrest i a nice classic example. “Among the Shona headrests that have survived intact are some with intensely personal designs. It is thought that these elaborately carved and embellished pieces were used only by … Continue reading Shona