Zulu Headrest (Isigqiki), Zululand, South Africa, c. 1960s–1970s

Carved from a single block of hardwood, this traditional Zulu headrest (isigqiki) originates from Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Defined by its balanced proportions and restrained sculptural form, the headrest reflects the Zulu aesthetic ideal of harmony between function and design. Collected for its strong architectural presence and well-preserved surface, it stands as a refined example of mid-20th-century Zulu material culture. 

Circa: 1960s–1970s.

Once part of the Egon Guenther Collection (since the 1970s), renowned for its discerning eye.

Comparable examples reside in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Wits Art Museum, and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Dimensions
Length 364mm
Height 106mm
Width 94mm
Weight 583 grams