Headrest

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-headrests

Culturepossibly Kambaata

Culturepossibly Arsi Oromo

Culturepossibly Oromo

Date20th Century

Made AtEthiopia, Africa

MediumWood

Dimensions6 1/4 × 6 3/8 × 2 3/8 in. (15.9 × 16.2 × 6 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2017.11.53

DescriptionThis particular style of wooden headrest is attributed to both the Arsi subgroup of the Oromo and the nearby Kambaata of Ethiopia. This diffusion of style is characteristic for the region, but as with many other Ethiopian headrests it may also indicate a stylistic antecedent from Egypt’s Old Kingdom dynasties, c. 2600 BC. Ethiopian headrests were functionally important rather than spiritually so. This was used to elevate one’s head when sleeping, thus protecting one’s hairstyle which was a symbol of status.

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