Headrest
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
H. 4 1/2 × W. 10 5/8 × D. 5 1/4 × L. 10 5/8 in. (11.4 × 27 × 13.3 × 27 cm)
Classification
Wood-Furniture
Culture
Nguni peoples
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Andrea Bollt Bequest, in memory of Robert Bollt Sr. and Robert Bollt Jr., 2018
Accession Number
2018.356
Art Historical Context
This elegant wooden headrest, crafted by an unknown Nguni artist in the th century, exemplifies the woodworking traditions of the Nguni peoples from southern Africa, including groups like the Zulu and Xosa. Measuring a compact 4½ × 10⅝ × 5¼ inches (11.4 × 27 × 13.3 cm), it was designed for practical use: elevating the head during sleep to preserve elaborate hairstyles, a cultural practice symbolizing status, beauty, and identity. Carved from a single piece of wood, its form reflects the portability prized by pastoralist communities who valued multifunctional objects in daily life. Artisticall...