Mixed lot (6 pieces), Ethiopia: a collection of neckrests of various Ethiopian tribes.
Each of the many tribes in Ethiopia has developed its own stylistic form of neckrest over time. These wooden neckrests fulfil multiple purposes in Africa: they are used for sleeping, as we use a pillow, but also for sitting, or as a base for simple tasks.
The present Ethiopian neckrests come from the Gurage (a simple block of wood decorated with inlaid copper rings, some with verdigris), from the Kambetta, also known as Hadiya (decorated with openwork and linear geometric lines in relief), from the Konso (the dark brown piece with a central support and straight side supports) and from the Arsi (the small neckrest with two central supports and two side supports). The two neckrests with lateral indentations to the upper surface come from the Me’en, also known as Banio. All six objects in this mixed lot show good, old traces of use and wear.
Height: between c. 13 cm and c. 18 cm. First half to mid-20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Headrests from the Horn of Africa’ by Odilon Audouin.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 500.-
Mixed lot (6 pieces), Ethiopia: a collection of neckrests of various Ethiopian tribes.
Each of the many tribes in Ethiopia has developed its own stylistic form of neckrest over time. These wooden neckrests fulfil multiple purposes in Africa: they are used for sleeping, as we use a pillow, but also for sitting, or as a base for simple tasks.
The present Ethiopian neckrests come from the Gurage (a simple block of wood decorated with inlaid copper rings, some with verdigris), from the Kambetta, also known as Hadiya (decorated with openwork and linear geometric lines in relief), from the Konso (the dark brown piece with a central support and straight side supports) and from the Arsi (the small neckrest with two central supports and two side supports). The two neckrests with lateral indentations to the upper surface come from the Me’en, also known as Banio. All six objects in this mixed lot show good, old traces of use and wear.
Height: between c. 13 cm and c. 18 cm. First half to mid-20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Headrests from the Horn of Africa’ by Odilon Audouin.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |