Headrest (musaw)
- Culture
- Yaka artist
- Date
- late 19th century
- Material
- Wood, copper alloy
- associated with
- Bandundu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
- Classification
- Furniture
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 102
- Dimensions
- 6 3/4 x 8 7/8 x 4 3/4 in. (17.1 x 22.5 x 12.1 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 20:1942
NOTES
While sleeping, a Yaka leader rested his head along this leopard’s long, arched back. The brass tacks adorning the animal’s head likely suggest its spots. The smooth and darkened surface attests to the object’s use over time.
Across equatorial Africa, the leopard is a principal symbol representing chiefs and kings. Yaka chiefs are believed to possess the power to transform into a leopard at night for the purpose of seeking out enemies. Here the leopard’s legs are poised as if ready to spring into action. The smaller animals represented below, including a bird and small four-legged creatures, may signify the leopard’s prey.
Provenance
Frank Crowninshield (1872–1947), New York, NY, USA [1]
- 1942
Primitive Arts, New York, NY
1942 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Primitive Arts [2]
Notes:
[1] A list of objects considered for museum purchase dated March 5, 1942 identifies this object was formerly in the "Frank Crowninshield Collection" [SLAM document files].
[2] An invoice dated March 27, 1942 from Primitive Arts to the City Art Museum documents the purchase of this object, listed as "one African (Bayak culture, Belgain Congo) head-rest with a figure of a mountain lion on a circular base decorated with totemic animals" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, April 2, 1942.
- 1942
Primitive Arts, New York, NY
1942 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Primitive Arts [2]
Notes:
[1] A list of objects considered for museum purchase dated March 5, 1942 identifies this object was formerly in the "Frank Crowninshield Collection" [SLAM document files].
[2] An invoice dated March 27, 1942 from Primitive Arts to the City Art Museum documents the purchase of this object, listed as "one African (Bayak culture, Belgain Congo) head-rest with a figure of a mountain lion on a circular base decorated with totemic animals" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, April 2, 1942.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.