Wooden Head Rest, Mali, Africa

This funeral headrest was made by the Dogon tribe of Mali this unusual piece expresses the wealth of the person for whom it was intended.

The three horses heads set at the corners are quite primitive in design but they are still unmistakably horses.

On the base is a cross symbolizing the country of Mali. The head rest is carved with patterns that resemble the Yoruba resist stitching design of their indigo dyed textiles. This offering pays homage to the wealth of the dead and symbolizes peace.

Length 13” (33 cm), Width 6 3/4” (17 cm)

Provenance; purchased from Harvey Derrien by private collector, 1990’s approx value £35