Headrests of Southern Africa: The architecture of sleep - KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini and Limpopo

The architecture of sleep presents a fascinating new perspective on southern African headrests, featuring 438 headrests from the collections of Bruce Goodall and Frédéric Zimer. The book is richly illustrated with in situ photographs and offers unique historical and personal information collected from the original owners and carvers. The headrests are presented according to 3 geographical areas: KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Eswatini, and the collection grew substantially with the purchase of a comprehensive collection from the Msinga area in 2017. The publication includes essays by Newman, Nel, and Leibhammer, as well as a text about collecting by Duma, facilitating a penetrating understanding of these valued items and a respectful appreciation of the cultures and individuals who made and used them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2022
Publisher: Five Continents Editions

The architecture of sleep presents a captivating exploration of southern African headrests, shedding new light on this fascinating tradition. This richly illustrated book, featuring in situ photographs, offers unique historical and personal information collected from numerous original owners and carvers of these headrests. For the first time, African headrests come to life, revealing intricate details and the captivating stories behind their creation, ownership, use, and significance.

The 438 headrests showcased in this publication originate from the collections of Bruce Goodall from Cape Town and Frédéric Zimer from Paris. These headrests are categorized into three geographical areas: KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo (where the Ntwane people reside), and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Since 2003, Bruce Goodall has embarked on numerous field trips, collecting headrests, conducting interviews, and capturing photographs of their owners and carvers. In 2017, his collection expanded significantly with the acquisition of a comprehensive collection of headrests from the Msinga area of KwaZulu-Natal. This collection, assembled and meticulously documented by the late Anglican priest Clive Newman and his friend and assistant, Mavis Duma, between the late 1980s and the mid-2000s, adds a significant dimension to the study.

Frédéric Zimer's collection has been built up over the years through his extensive travels in Africa and his acquisitions from collectors and African art dealers worldwide. This publication not only provides insights into the personal and historical dimensions of this important southern African tradition through the text written by Bruce Goodall about the headrests and their owners, but also includes essays by Newman, Nel, and Leibhammer. Additionally, a text about collecting by Mavis Duma further enhances our understanding of these valued items and fosters a respectful appreciation of the cult associated with them.

Together, these contributions provide a comprehensive and immersive exploration of southern African headrests, offering a deep understanding of their cultural and artistic significance. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in exploring the rich heritage of this region.

Weight: 2720g
Dimension: 247 x 308 x 44 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788874399642