Headrest

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-headrests

Culturepossibly Gurage

Culturepossibly Oromo

Date20th Century

Made AtEthiopia, Africa

MediumWood

Dimensions6 1/4 × 6 × 4 1/2 in. (15.9 × 15.2 × 11.4 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2019.22.15

DescriptionThis is a wooden headrest from the Gurage or Oromo cultures of Ethiopia, made during the 20th Century. Rather than being imbued with spiritual significance, the headrests of many eastern African countries carried utilitarian and prestige functions. This type of double-conical headrest was used by men. Headrests were introduced to of Ethiopia some 300 years ago. At the time, it was the southernmost country in Africa to use the wood lathe, and the distinctive rivets of its manufacturing process can be seen here. Interestingly, several Ethiopian headrest designs share similarities with headrests made by Egyptians up to 4500 years ago.

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