Skip to main content
Headrest (Kali Hahapo), 20th Century
Tonga, Polynesia
Wood and mother-of-pearl; 4 × 15 × 4 in…
Headrest (Kali Hahapo)
Headrest (Kali Hahapo), 20th Century
Tonga, Polynesia
Wood and mother-of-pearl; 4 × 15 × 4 in…
Headrest (Kali Hahapo), 20th Century Tonga, Polynesia Wood and mother-of-pearl; 4 × 15 × 4 in. 2019.22.17 Anonymous Gift

Headrest (Kali Hahapo)

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-headrests
Date20th Century
Made AtTonga
MediumWood and mother-of-pearl
Dimensions4 × 15 × 4 in. (10.2 × 38.1 × 10.2 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2019.22.17
DescriptionThis is a Tongan headrest from the 20th Century. Tongan headrests can be made in a few varieties: they are either symmetrical or asymmetrical in form and can be carved from a single piece of wood or have their legs "lashed" to the main beam using coconut fibers cord—the same technique was created for building canoes. Headrests are a ceremonial gift that is given during a wedding. This is a kali hahapo—a type of headrest that is made from a single piece of wood with only two legs. Rather than protect coiffures these headrests were used to keep the head off the ground and to allow a more comfortable sleep.
On View
Not on view
Headrest, 20th Century
Zulu culture; South Africa
Wood; 7 × 24 1/4 × 4 in.
2019.22.13
Anony…
Zulu
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Dinka, Lotuka or Rendille culture; Kenya or South Sudan 
Wood; 7 3/4 ×…
Dinka
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Lotuko culture; South Sudan
Wood; 4 7/8 × 16 5/8 × 6 1/2 in.
2017.11.…
Lotuko
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Swazi culture; Swaziland or South Africa
Wood; 5 7/8 × 15 1/8 × 3 3/4 …
Swazi
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Dinka culture; South Sudan
Wood, leather and metal; 10 × 22 × 6 in.
2…
Dinka
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Dinka culture; South Sudan
Wood; 8 1/2 × 18 1/2 × 4 in.
2019.22.26
A…
Dinka
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Karamojong culture; Uganda
Wood and metal; 7 3/4 × 15 × 3 1/4 in.
201…
Karamojong
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Karamojong culture; Uganda
Wood and metal; 12 × 9 1/2 × 3 in.
2019.22…
Karamojong
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Karamojong culture; Uganda
Wood and metal; 6 1/2 × 5 × 4 in.
2019.22.…
Karamojong
20th Century
Headrest, 20th Century
Karamojong culture; Uganda
Wood and leather; 6 × 5 1/2 × 2 1/2 in.
20…
Karamojong
20th Century