Luba Style Wooden Tribal Hand Carved African Headrest with Figures

Description

Luba Wooden Tribal Hand Carved African Headrest with Figures, measures 6.5" high, 3.5" wide, top 7" long, bottom 6" long. Some crackings and wear on Wood.
At the end of the 19th century, the 'cascade coiffure' hairstyle was the height of fashion for Luba-Shankadi women, in what is today known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  'Signifying beauty and social status, the complex style took more than 50 hours to complete - although it could be preserved for up to three months if the wearer slept on a raised headrest.'
This headrest is supported by two embracing figures, forming what is known as a ‘double carytid’ base.  The ‘inventive’ positions of the figures in this headrest lend it a sense of dynamism, emphasized by a use of negative space rarely seen in works made in the region at this time.  Occasionally referred to as ‘a support of dreams’, this headrest, experts have suggested, might feature figures as forms of protection, intended to safeguard the user at night.