Gurage Wood Headrest, Ethiopia

Plainly, a crescent head rest on a round pedestal, curving upward like a smile.

This carved wooden headrest is Gurage, from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the 19th century. It is carved wood. The Gurage of southern Ethiopia are farming communities, and carved wooden household objects such as stools and headrests are generally cut from a single piece of timber. Placed center frame, a curved, scooped top rises at both ends in sweeping horns, supported by a short arched stem that ends in a round, disc-like foot. The foot is lightly incised with small patterned bands. The surface is brown and textured with fine wear. It is 7.9 inches wide, 3.5 deep and 6.4 high.

One big curve, one round foot, and a lot of calm.