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Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and leather; 7 × 7 1/4 × 5 7/8 in…
Headrest
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and leather; 7 × 7 1/4 × 5 7/8 in…
Headrest, 20th Century probably Turkana culture; Kenya Wood and leather; 7 × 7 1/4 × 5 7/8 in. 2017.11.33 Gift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Headrest

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-headrests
Culture Turkana
Date20th Century
Made AtKenya, Africa
MediumWood and leather
Dimensions7 × 7 1/4 × 5 7/8 in. (17.8 × 18.4 × 14.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2017.11.33
DescriptionSaddle-shaped wooden headrests are made throughout the border region between Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. This example was most likely made by the Turkana of northwest Kenya. For the Turkana, headrests are as much indicators of status as they are a way to keep one’s head off the ground and protect their coiffure as they sleep. Turkana headrests are kept close-by at all times. They are either in-use, being maintained, or worn around the waist by way of their leather, metal, or more rarely fiber strap. It is said that Turkana men will travel hundreds of miles to secure a headrest crafted by the finest of craftsmen.
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Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
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Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
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Turkana
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Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and leather; 8 × 7 1/4 × 5 1/8 in…
Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and leather; 8 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 6 in…
Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and leather; 6 3/4 × 6 3/8 × 4 1/…
Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and leather; 6 1/2 × 5 5/8 × 4 in…
Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, early to mid 20th Century
Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood, leather and metal; 7 3/4 × 8…
Turkana
early to mid 20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood; 4 × 6 × 2 in.
2019.15.24
Gift …
Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood; 5 1/2 × 6 × 2 3/4 in.
2019.15.2…
Turkana
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
probably Turkana culture; Kenya
Wood and fiber; 4 1/2 × 8 3/4 × 5 1/8 …
Turkana
20th Century