This headrest was carved by an Oromo artist to preserve the elaborate hairstyle of its owner during sleep.
The wood was turned on a lathe to create a conical base that is hollow on the interior.
Personal objects, headrests support the head by cradling it along the jawline, elevating it from the ground.
While some regions of central and southern Africa associate headrests with dreaming and divination, they are purely practical in eastern African.
Ergonomically, they align the spine, while functionally, they protect intricate hairstyles from dust or from being flattened.
Height: 5 1/4" x Width: 3 7/8" x Length: 6"
