headrest

Zulu headrest, likely representing cattle. It has an unusually low extended crossbar, and eight pairs of legs thought to invoke the idea of a herd of cattle.

The surface is darkened and burnished.

Overall, the form of the present headrest resembles a bovine. The headrest appears to have horn/thorn-like legs and an unusually low, extended crossbar. Its eight pairs of legs may be intended to ‘invoke the idea of a large herd [of cattle]’ (Klopper, 1996: 207). The reference to cattle has a dual function; cattle are a source of wealth and also vital for communicating with the ancestors (Ibid.). The present surface is darkened and burnished and as such it may be favoured by the ‘shades’, or ancestors who inhabit dark places.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
27.4.61/52
Date
19th century; mid-19th century
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 500 mm x 134 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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