Somali Wood Barshin or Headrest

The barshin traveled with the man. Somali herders carried them across country, and the head rested without disturbing the hair.

This one was carved in the mid to late 19th century and comes from Ethiopia. A deep crescent rest with rounded tips sits atop a single tapering column. The column stands on a drum-shaped foot ringed by a band of finely notched decoration. It is eight inches tall.

The wood is honey-toned with darker grain, dry and softly worn. Lean design. Nothing extra, nothing missing. A good rest, in every sense.