Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Headrest with a dome shaped base, a single flat central support which narrows in the middle, and an upper platform slightly narrowed in the middle part. Excellent condition and a nice patina

Headrest with a dome shaped base, a single flat central support which narrows in the middle, and an upper platform slightly narrowed in the middle part. Some sign of use, otherwise a nice patina

Beautiful stool and/or headrest made out of heavy dark wood,with perfect black patina. The dark patinais acquired by frequently rubbing it with the oil of cator bean (Ricinus communis). Several tribes in the lower Omo river basin using similar headrests: Banio (Me'en), Mursi, Banna, Kara. A leather strip allowed the transport of this object which his owner never left.

Beautiful headrest made out of heavy jellowish wood,with perfect black patina. Several tribes in the lower Omo river basin using similar headrests: Banio (Me'en), Mursi, Banna, Kara.

Headrest with of long central post made in yellowish wood the post sits on a slightly raised round base. Headrest has a warm patina, some cracks on the upper platform.

This headrest has a support in the form of two splayed legs, tied together by a double twisted cord forming a handle. The two free supports lead directly to a platform with slightly raised ends and with a convex curve of the surface from side to side. This simple headrest has a beautiful dark patina. Karamajong lives across the modern geographical borders of Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Turkana and Pokot are using similar headrests

Several tribes from the area use similar headrests, moat likely this one can be attributed to the Me'en. It is made out of clear but heavy wood and has a nice patina.

Light headrest supported by two slender legs and decorated by tightly interwoven leather strings.

Headrest carved from a single piece of yellowish brown wood. This is an example of 'found form', with a naturally grown branch specifically chosen because its shape, with subsidiary branches coming off the main stem to form the three feet, was suitable for making a headrest.

Three legged headrest made out of carefully chosen branches. So many nomadic tribes in the region make headrests out of specially chosen branches, that it is difficult to give precise attribution to this type of headrests. This example could also be Rendille or Borana.

Headrest with an extended four-sided platform of yellowish wood and curved at the ends. Ends are decorated with rows of chisel marks. The top lies on a central flat-shaped post with decorations on the small side. The post sits on a slightly raised round base. The headrest has a warm patina.

Very crude block headrest in light yellow wood. Origin is difficult to establish could be

Borokoto, but also Afar may use such headrests to be used in absence of their more elaborated headrests.

Headrest made out of light clear wood. The shape tells us that it could be either from

Borana or

Rendille or one of the sourrounding tribes.

Rather large headrest which seems not to have been used for long time. In perfect condition but missing patina. Similar headrests are used by various tribes living in the lower Omo valley and around lake

Turkana.

The top lies on a central flat-shaped post.

Light headrest supported by two slender legs and decorated by tightly interwoven leather strings.