VINTAGE AFRICAN HEADREST carved from a solid piece

carved from a solid piece of larvikite and polished

The specific colouring for this marble displays a multitude of warm browns

made up of varying pale and colourless crystals among other rock-forming minerals

carved from a single piece of hardwood

oftentimes worn attached to or hanging under people’s belts

VINTAGE AFRICAN HEADREST carved from a solid pieceIn many African cultures, wooden headrests were carved to enable people to sleep without spoiling their hairstyles; they were oftentimes indicative of age, gender and status. The headrest also played a role in nuptial ceremonies. A groom would place currency under his bride's headrest on the eve of consummation as the bride could then take the money to buy an amber necklace to cement her new status as a married woman. Headrests came in several forms