Headrests

Traditional African headrests were carried as symbols of affluence.

The geometric patterns and reliefs were unique to individual artists and varied from region to region.

Intended to cradle the neck and support the head, headrests were used by herders to recline and rest, while still watching their herd at night. During the day, they often served as stools. Beyond their utilitarian function, headrests were important metaphysical objects which provided a spiritual conduit to one’s ancestors.

Four legs Headrest, No. 1310 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

6 x 17 x 5 ″ Hand carved from a single, hardwood block.

Headrest No. 1180 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

8 x 17 x 12 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single, hardwood block.

Headrest (Oromo People, Ethiopia)

9.5 x 16 x 5 ″ Sold

Headrest (Dinka People, South Sudan)

11 x 18 x 6 ″ Sold

Headrest , No. 1160 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

9.5 x 15.5 x 10 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single, hardwood block.

Three Legs Dinka Headrest, No. 1170 (South Sudan)

6.5 x 14 x 9 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single, hardwood block.

Headrest, No.1070 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

7.5 x 18.5 x 7 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single block.

Zulu Block Headrest, with multi geometric patterns, No.2180 South Africa.

15.5 x 47.5 x 8 cm Acacia species Wood, light honey colored / hand carved. $3,589.00

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"Zulu Headrest - 1920s No.7: A Graceful Blend of Artistry, Heritage, and Cultural Symbolism"

4.75 x 14 x 3.2 ″ Combertum Imberbe wood / Hand Carved. $3,750.00

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"Mingudeni Shezi No.11 Headrest: An Intricate Dance of Geometry, Strength, and Cultural Heritage"

5 x 19 x 4.25 ″ Schotia brachypetala Wood / Hand Carved. $4,329.00

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"Mkhulu Mkwanazi Scallop Buttress No.1041: A Masterful Union of Elegance, Structure, and Zulu Cultural Legacy"

6.5 x 22 x 3 ″ Combertum imberde (Leadwood) wood / Hand carved. $3,660.00

Headrest No. 2140 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

10 x 42.5 x 8.5 cm Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

12 x 59 x 12.5 cm Sold

Headrest No.2170 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

13 x 47 x 7 cm Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

12 x 49 x 8 cm Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest No. 2230 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

13 x 46 x 8 cm Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest No. 2250 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

18.513 x 41 x 6.5 cm Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

11 x 40 x 5.5 cm Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

13 x 43 x 7 cm Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

13 x 43 x 7 cm Sold

Headrest No. 2060 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

16 x 51 x 5 cm

Headrest No. 2130 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

10 x 32 x 7 cm Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest No. 1012 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.25 x 15.5 x 2.75 ″

Early 20th century Zulu Headrest No. 1009 (Southern Africa)

4.25 x 15 x 3.5 ″ Schotia brachypetala Wood / Hand Carved.

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"Timeless Elegance: Pre-1940 Zulu Headrest No.4 - A Resplendent Symbol of Ancestral Ties and Legacy"

4.5 x 15 x 2.5 ″ Schotia brachypetala Wood / Hand Carved.

Headrest No. 1013 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.75 x 17 x 3.5 ″

Headrest No. 1021 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

5 x 17 x 4 ″

Headrest (Dinka People, South Sudan)

5.5 x 11 x 3.5 ″ Hand carved from a single, hardwood block. Sold

Headrest No.1023 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

6.5 x 25.5 x 3 ″

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

6 x 21.5 x 30 mm Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.5 x 18.25 x 2.5 ″ Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.5 x 15.5 x 3 ″ Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

7 x 21 x 3.5 ″ Hand carved from a single, hardwood block. Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.5 x 18 x 3 ″ Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

6 x 21 x 3.25 ″ Sold

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.5 x 12.5 x 3 ″ Sold

Headrest No. 1024 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

6.5 x 24 x 3.5 ″

Headrest No. 1025 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

6 x 14 x 3.5 ″

Headrest No. 1026 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

5 x 16 x 3 ″ Hand carved from a single, hardwood block; the rich patina indicates many decades of daily use.

Headrest No. 1027 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

4.5 x 15 x 2 ″

Headrest No. 1038 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

6.5 x 17.5 x 3.5 ″

Headrest No. 1042 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

5 x 17.25 x 3 ″

Headrests

Traditional African headrests were carried as symbols of affluence.

The geometric patterns and reliefs were unique to individual artists and varied from region to region.

Four legs Headrest, No. 1310 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

Headrest No. 1180 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

Headrest (Oromo People, Ethiopia)

Headrest (Dinka People, South Sudan)

Headrest , No. 1160 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

Three Legs Dinka Headrest, No. 1170 (South Sudan)

Headrest, No.1070 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

Zulu Block Headrest, with multi geometric patterns, No.2180 South Africa.

"Zulu Headrest - 1920s No.7: A Graceful Blend of Artistry, Heritage, and Cultural Symbolism"

"Mingudeni Shezi No.11 Headrest: An Intricate Dance of Geometry, Strength, and Cultural Heritage"

"Mkhulu Mkwanazi Scallop Buttress No.1041: A Masterful Union of Elegance, Structure, and Zulu Cultural Legacy"

Headrest No. 2140 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No.2170 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 2230 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 2250 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 2060 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 2130 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1012 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Early 20th century Zulu Headrest No. 1009 (Southern Africa)

"Timeless Elegance: Pre-1940 Zulu Headrest No.4 - A Resplendent Symbol of Ancestral Ties and Legacy"

Headrest No. 1013 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1021 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Dinka People, South Sudan)

Headrest No.1023 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1024 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1025 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1026 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1027 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1038 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1042 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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