Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest

Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest

€380.00
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Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
  • Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest
Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest

Turkana Headrest – Northern Kenya Pastoral Culture Hand-Carved Wooden Headrest

€380.00
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This portable wooden headrest is attributed to the Turkana pastoral culture of northern Kenya. Such headrests are widely used among pastoral communities of the Turkana–Karamojong cultural region as personal sleeping supports, designed to elevate the head while preserving elaborate hairstyles and protecting the wearer from ground insects and dust during rest.

The present example is carved from a single block of hardwood and displays the characteristic curved saddle seat supported by flaring legs. Incised geometric ornament appears along the lower sections, while leather suspension thongs are retained for carrying or attachment. Surface wear, patination, and handling marks consistent with prolonged use attest to its age and utilitarian life. Headrests of this type have long been appreciated by collectors of East African material culture and are represented in major ethnographic museum collections.

Circa: Mid–20th century or earlier

PROVENANCE: Egon Guenther Collection, by family descent to Thomas Guenther Collection.

MEASUREMENTS
Length 19.9 cm
Width: 9.6 cm
Height: 23.2 cm
Weight: 518 g

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