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Headrest (mutsago)

Late 19th–early 20th century
Not on view
The earliest headrests preserved in museum collections are those created in ancient Egypt during the Middle Kingdom, ca 2030 B.C. A remarkable diversity of styles of related forms were developed by different cultural groups across southern Africa. Nguni sculptors from present-day South Africa are especially recognized for the inventiveness of their headrest designs. This bold yet simple interpretation elegantly balances a horizontal surface that spans three carefully spaced sets of circular discs emblazoned with dense graphic motifs.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Headrest (mutsago)
  • Date: Late 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: South Africa or Zimbabwe
  • Culture: Tsonga or Nguni peoples
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: H. 6 × D. 5 1/8 × L. 24 9/16 in. (15.2 × 13 × 62.4 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Furniture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Dr. and Mrs. Sidney G. Clyman Gift, 2021
  • Object Number: 2021.99
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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Headrest or headboard, Tellem artist, Wood, Tellem peoples
Headrest or headboard
Tellem artist
16th century
Headrest, Wood, Shona peoples
Headrest
Shona peoples
19th–20th century
Headrest, Shona artist, Wood, Shona peoples
Headrest
Shona artist
late 19th–mid 20th century
Headrest, Shona artist, Wood, Shona peoples
Headrest
Shona artist
19th–20th century
Zoomorphic headrest, Circle of “Unobadula”(?), Wood, Nguni peoples
Zoomorphic headrest
Circle of “Unobadula”(?)
Mid–late 19th century

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