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A Shona Headrest with Attached Glass Bead Strand.
Fine colour and patina through extended use to the upper part of the elegant support, dry aged patina to the lower oval base.
Wood, black and white glass beads.
Shona / South Africa.
19th Century.
PROVENANCE:
Purchased at auction, England, 2016 from a private collection.
Ex Private collection.
The lustre of the patina comes from continuous use. The wood becoming saturated with hair oils, the headrest takes on the identity of the sleeper and comes to be seen as their spiritual representative. Headrests from this area were often buried with their owner.
A distinctive feature of these headrests are the vertical lugs extending from both sides of the cross-bar. The lobed base supports a carved central support from which rise three upright beams. A personal embellishment in the form of a long strand of ‘European’ black and white glass beads. Headrests from this area have a great inventiveness in the form and variation of design of the central support. While they were not made to be radically different from one another, the subtle variations distinguish each remarkable piece.
Dimensions
15cm high, 14cm wide - 6 ins high, 5½ ins wideThe BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
