A Swazi South Africa anthropomorphic carved wood headrest

A Swazi South Africa anthropomorphic carved wood headrest, 19th century, 7in (18cm) h, 22.5in (57cm) l. Anthropomorphic headrests are very rare in Southern Africa, although the Swazi shared many cultural patterns with the Zulu the scored downward folds of the legs is typical Swazi design and they may deliberately replicate the small pleats of a married Swazi woman's leather skirt. Poker-work tonally differentiates the form and the surface of the headrest and is a characteristic of south African art. It was a custom of newly married Swazi brides to commission a pair of headrests, one for themselves and one for their husband. Perhaps this headrest was made for a bridegroom.