Zoomorphic headrest
Carvers across southern and eastern Africa developed a diverse range of headrests. Design elements of the elongated form favored in Eswatini combine metaphors relating to wives, agriculture, and cattle. Patterns on the rests’ flared legs refer to the pleated cowhide skirts worn by married Swazi women; extensions at either end constitute tails and umbilical cords.
Artwork Details
- Title: Zoomorphic headrest
- Artist: Mdluli family of artists
- Date: 20th century
- Geography: Eswatini, Lomohasha village
- Culture: Swazi peoples
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: H. 5 3/4 × W. 21 1/4 × D. 4 5/8 in. (14.6 × 54 × 11.7 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Furniture
- Credit Line: Gift of Bill and Gale Simmons, 1993
- Object Number: 1993.384.8
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
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