Rectangular headrest with flat sides, notched decoration and a cylindrical handle projecting from one side, carved from a single block of wood [RTS 1/6/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: Rectangular headrest with flat sides, notched decoration and a cylindrical handle projecting from one side, carved from a single block of wood [RTS 1/6/2005]
Long description: Headrest carved from a single block of yellowish brown wood (Pantone 7508C), consisting of a rectangular body flattened on four sides, and slightly curving at either end. A single handle projects frm the centre of the front end, irregularly oval in section and tapering outwards from its base, possibly to make the object easier to carry. The 4 long edges of the body have been decorated with a series of notches, alternating between a continuous row of notches on 2 of the sides, and notches arranged in two groups of 5 notches each, with a space left between each group. The flat upper surface is also partially covered with a series of shallow incised circles, many of which overlap. There are traces of use wear on some of the sides. The headrest is complete, but the body has split badly along the underside, with a few more minor cracks also running with the grain on one side. It has a weight of 543 grams, and is 270 mm long, with a body that is 192 mm long, 68.5 mm wide and 66.3 mm thick, while the handle has a maximum diameter of 32.8 by 31.3 mm [RTS 1/6/2005].
Geographical reference: South Sudan
Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan; Bahr el Jebel Eastern Equatoria Between Mongalla and Torit
Cultural groups: Lokoya; Lotuko; Otuho
Person: Field collector Charles Gabriel Seligman; Field collector Brenda Zara Seligman; PRM source Charles Gabriel Seligman
Date / Period: Date made: Before 03/1922
Date collected: January to March 1922
Acquisition information: Donated: 1922
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Process Carved, Process Decorated, Process Notched, Process Incised
Dimensions: Width: max 68.5 mm, Depth: max 66.3 mm, Length: max 270 mm, Length: max 192 mm body, Diameter: max 32.8 mm handle, Weight 543 g
Object numbers: Accession number: 1922.25.10
Research and responses: The town of Mongalla is located in the modern administrative district of Bahr el Jebel, while Torit lies in Eastern Equatoria. The Lokoya language is listed in Ethnologue as a language found in the Torit district of Eastern Equatoria, which has a 64% lexical similarity with Otuho, and containing the ethnic groups Irya and Owe [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=LKY]. For discussions of the Lokoya, see G.W.B. Huntingford, 1953, The Northern Nilo-Hamites, p. 75-78, and C.G. Seligman, Pagan Tribes, pp 340-345. Two similar headrests were collected by the Seligman's at around the same time, 1922.25.9, which has a similar 'handle' on one side, and 1922.25.8, which does not. [RTS 7/2/2005].

Search terms: Furniture Dwelling, Headrest, Furniture