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Headrest (Musawu)

A work made of wood and pigment.

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  • A work made of wood and pigment.

Date:

Late 19th to early 20th century

Artist:

Yaka
Kwango region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central Africa

About this artwork

As an emblem of his combined political and spiritual responsibilities, a Yaka chief wore a hat of knotted, netted, and woven raffia that was charged with medicinal ingredients. An elaborately carved neckrest served as another part of his insignia. While it served the practical purpose of protecting the chief’s headgear while he slept, the imagery of this example—which may have held medicines in its interior—likely reflects the Yaka buildings on stilts that housed powerful ritual objects.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Yaka

Title

Headrest (Musawu)

Place

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1850–1925

Medium

Wood and pigment

Dimensions

16.7 × 9.8 × 17.4 cm (6 5/8 × 3 7/8 × 6 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of George F. Harding

Reference Number

1928.175

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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