Headrest, a wedding gift a bride takes to her new home. The designs and shapes of these Headrests affirm the role of cattle in mediating the relationship between the living and the dead of many southern African communities. The amasumpa (raised bumps) represent wealth in form of cattle herd size. There is an obvious allusions to cattle through the tail like extension at either end of the headrest.
Furthermore, the addition of breast like projections heightens the powerful allusion of sexual potency or fecundity evident in the expressive treatment of forms.
Since ancestors were responsible for regulating fertility not only for cattle but also for human descendants. "Bullness" (Ubunkunzi) signifies the general idea of virility and fertility.

Showing 1–20 of 42 artworks

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

Headrest , No. 1160 (Dinka People, South Sudan)
9.5 x 15.5 x 10 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single, hardwood block.
Headrest No. 2250 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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 No. 2230 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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

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
Headrest No.2170 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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 No. 2140 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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 No. 2130 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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. 2060 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 2060 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)
16 x 51 x 5 cm
Four legs Headrest, No. 1310 (Dinka People, South Sudan)

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)

Headrest No. 1180 (Dinka People, South Sudan)
8 x 17 x 12 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single, hardwood block.
Three Legs Dinka Headrest, No. 1170 (South Sudan)

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)

Headrest, No.1070 (Dinka People, South Sudan)
7.5 x 18.5 x 7 ″ Unidentified hardwood species / Hand carved from a single block.
Headrest No. 1042 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1042 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)
5 x 17.25 x 3 ″

"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. 1038 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1038 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)
6.5 x 17.5 x 3.5 ″
Headrest No. 1027 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1027 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)
4.5 x 15 x 2 ″
Headrest No. 1026 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

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. 1025 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1025 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)
6 x 14 x 3.5 ″
Headrest No. 1024 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)

Headrest No. 1024 (Zulu People, Southern Africa)
6.5 x 24 x 3.5 ″