Tsonga carvers excelled at making inventive and unusual multi use staffs. This finely carved example is a testament to the skill and aesthetic sensibilities of the carver, it required expertise and experience to create a headrest that would stand flat balancing the arm of the staff at one end and the bowl at the other. The well executed adze work on the base of the headrest shows were final adjustments must have been made to balance the piece perfectly.

For a reference on staffs with dual functions see: https://southafrica.co.za/staffs-with-dual-functions.html

Inv: SB001

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It has had some repair to the area under the "pillow" of the headrest