stools and headrests gallery
ACK 0621-2 Lobi Tripod stool, Burkina Faso Elongated stool with three feet, ornamented with two typical Lobi heads.Stools of this kind particularly served to sit during the village palavers. They are still currently used. The Lobi people live in the western region of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) and in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) … Continue reading Lobi Stool
ACK 1220-3 Swazi Headrest, ‘Hho Hho’ Region in Swaziland South Africa This classical head- or neck rest can be identified as Swazi (as opposed to Zulu) by the way the grooves run on the legs. In Zulu items, the fluted grooves run horizontally instead of vertically. For the rest, the headrests of both nations are … Continue reading Swazi Headrest
CWK 0619-1 Dinka Lotuko Headrest, South Sudan. This charming, elegant three-legged headrest is via its simple design a well-known example of the arts of the Dinka Lotuku people of South Sudan. The Lotuka people live in settlements. There are sixteen known such villages of which Iliu, Hiyala, Lobira, etc. are the most important in terms … Continue reading Dinka Headrest
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
LCK 1116-2 Dinka Stool, Sudan This wooden stool is a characteristic example of an everyday object of the Dinka people, the design being simultaneously inviting and exclusive. The entire carving consists of a single piece of hardwood with neatly carved patterns (also known from the Dinka tribe’s jewelry). This chair is a very personal and … Continue reading Dinka Stool
CWK 0119-10 Karamojong headrest, Uganda A wonderful almost elegant headrest from the Karamojong people of Uganda in Eastern Africa. 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 elevating the head off the ground during sleep, thereby preventing … Continue reading Uganda Headrest
CWK 0119-7 Zulu Headrest Isigqiki style, Swazi, Swaziland This elegant Swazi headrest is similar in style to the appearance of the Zulu headrest. Swazi headrests are usually 2 legs on either end that are commonly darker than the cross bar they support. The crossbar usually contains a lug pendant found in the center of the … Continue reading Zulu Headrest
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
LCK 0615-8 Antique Kuba Headrest, Congo H: 16,5 cm (6,5″) Headrests (or neckrests) are used by many nomadic people in 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 … Continue reading Kuba Headrest
LCK 0615-7 Antique Kuba Headrest, Congo H: 9 cm (3,5″) Headrests (or neckrests) are used by many nomadic people in 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 … Continue reading Kuba Headrest
LCK 0615-3 SOLD Turkana Headrest, Ethiopia This Turkana Headrest 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 hard to keep balance and therefore preventing him from falling into a deep sleep. It is made … Continue reading Turkana
LCK 0615-2 SOLD Turkana Headrest, Ethiopia This Turkana Headrest 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 hard to keep balance and therefore preventing him from falling into a deep sleep. It is made … Continue reading Turkana
LCK 0615-1 Turkana Headrest, Ethiopia This Turkana Headrest 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 hard to keep balance and therefore preventing him from falling into a deep sleep. It is made from … Continue reading Turkana
LCK 0615-6 Turkana Headrest with leather handle, Ethiopia H: 20,5 cm (8,1″) W: 21,5 cm (8,5”) Dark brown patinated wood This is an exceptionally beautiful headrest and a real prestige for the owner, who proudly has carried it in his belt. The color of the wood has a dark and warm glow and the … Continue reading Turkana
HMK 0315-2 Lobi Tripod stool, Burkina Faso H: 25 cm (9,8″), L:56 cm (22″), W: 11 cm (4,3″) Wood, hard brownish patina This fine three-legged stool has a characteristic Lobi man’s head carved in the extension of the seat. The seat has a dark and warm glow and was a real prestige for the … Continue reading Lobi 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
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
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
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
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
CAK 0299-64 Lobi Stool, Burkina Faso H: 17 cm (6,7″), L: 35 cm (13,8″) Wood, shiny brown patina This fine three-legged stool with a rectangular carved seat has a dark and warm glow and was a real prestige for the owner. Every initiated Lobi man owned such a stool; when they went on a … Continue reading Lobi Stool
CAK 1297-10d Pokot Stool, Kenya H: 20 cm (7,9″)
CRK 0115-8 – SOLD Dinka, Sudan L: 49 cm (19,3″), H: 20,5 cm (8,1″), W: 18 cm (7,1″)
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
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
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
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
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
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
CAK 1297-10b Pokot Stool, Kenya H: 20 cm (7,9″)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
CRK 0115-3 – SOLD Pokot Headrest/Stool, Kenya L: 23 cm (9,1″), H: 14,5 cm (5,7″), W: 7,5 cm (3″) This ‘two-legged’ stool/headrest is from the Pokot (or 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 hard to … Continue reading Headrest/Stool
SNK 1212-32 Ethiopian Child’s Stool, Oromo/Omo River, Africa H: 16 cm (6,3″), W: 11,5 cm (4,5″), L: 14 cm (5,5″) An elegant stool/headrest made out of two-toned wood. Ethiopian headrests come in various forms. They are ranged from the simple to elaborately carved artifact. Among nomadic pastorals in Africa people headrests and stools play … Continue reading Child’s Stool
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
CRK 0115-5 Round Stool/Headrest with Metal Handle, Ethiopia H: 15,5 cm (6,1″), W: 20 cm (7,9″) This stool/headrest from Ethiopia is caved from one piece of wood, it has a beautiful patina from age and much use by a nomadic herder in Ethiopia either to protect his elaborate hairdos or to keep his head … Continue reading Stool/Headrest
CRK 0115-1 Headrest from Ethiopia L: 20 cm (7,9″), H: 15 cm (5,9″), W: 9,5 cm (3,7″) This headrest from Ethiopia is caved from one piece of wood, it has beautiful patina from age and much use by a nomadic herder in Ethiopia either to protect his elaborate hairdos or to keep his head … Continue reading Headrest
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
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
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
SLK 1207-3 Tonga Chigaro Stool, Zimbabwe H: 19,5 cm ( 7,7″), Ø: 18 cm (7,1″) This Tonga stool, made from one piece of wood, has beautiful patina from age and much use. A circular cone form a seat with carved triangle shapes that support all on a circular cone form base. Tonga stools were … Continue reading Tonga Stool
CRK 0115-6 – SOLD Zulu Headrest, South Africa H: 10 cm (3,9″), W: 9 cm (3,5″), L: 30,5 cm (12″) This is a very rare and fine example of a Zulu headrest richly decorated with different patterns. It has a beautiful dark, smooth patina. Headrests are often described as supports to protect elaborate hairstyles, … Continue reading Zulu Headrest
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
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
JCK 0612-3 – SOLD Ngoni Headrest, South Africa H: 13cm (5,1″), W: 16 cm (6,3″) Provenance: 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 Ngoni Headrest
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
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
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
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
