Ethiopian Headrest Gurage Block Style African Art

Description

Title
Ethiopian Headrest Gurage Block Style African Art
Type of Object
Headrest
Country of Origin
Ethiopia
People
Gurage
Materials
Wood (dark and brown patina)
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
6.5
Overall Condition
Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Ethiopian Headrest Gurage Block Style, Africa
Additional Information:
Typical Ethiopian Headrest made of wood with beautiful dark and brwon patina showing the traces of extensive usage.Headrests of this kind are among the most popular productions of the Gurage and other nomad peoples of Ethiopia. In these cultures men carry their headrests everywhere they go. They are used as pillows, neck rests, and to protect elaborate ceremonial hairstyle. Headrests are also used to identify the owner social rank.
Their headrests are very close to these found among the Karamajong and Turkana people of Kenya and Tanzania (see AFRICAN FORMS, p.34).For similar example see SLEEPING BEAUTIES, fig. 9
Recommended Reading:
Marc, Ginzberg 2000 African Forms, Skira Editor, Milano
William J. Dewey (ed.)1993 Sleeping Beauties. The Jerome L. Joss Collection of Headrests at UCLA
**130972**
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