Headrest

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-headrests

Culture Chimbu

Date20th Century

Made AtChimbu Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions8 1/2 × 18 5/8 × 10 1/4 in. (21.6 × 47.3 × 26 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2017.11.51

DescriptionOther than masks and shields, only a handful of objects from the eastern New Guinea Highlands are made of wood. The wooden headrests of the peoples of the Chimbu province are one such case. This example is apparently made from mangrove tree root, which is much sturdier than one might imagine, and can support the weight of a sleeping man’s head with ease. Many Chumbu headrests are highly stylized depictions of animals such as echidnas and lizards. They were used exclusively by men, often during festivals so as to protect their coiffure or headdress.

On View

Not on view

Collections