Additional information
| Primary Materials | |
|---|---|
| Materials | |
| Regions | |
| Ethnic Groups |
Qua Archeological Headrest
Terra cotta headrests are rare everywhere in Africa but are among the more common artifacts unearthed from the Qua civilization (10th-11th Century) in the region of Calabar in eastern Nigeria. Qua terra cottas first came to light during excavation and road building. In addition to headrests, Qua terra cottas include platters, bowls jars and bottle-like figures with architectonic, zoomorphic or anthropomorphic finials and heads. The clay is very distinctive with a crackled, porous surface with an yellow-ochre exterior and an anaerobic-black interior. Headrests come in a variety of hollow forms of which this example, with its wide opening topped with two small holes, is the most typical. The purpose of the smaller holes is not known although it is likely that they anchored twine used for hanging the headrest or otherwise holding it in place. Qua terra cottas universally have finely incised surface patterns strikingly reminiscent of Kuba textile designs. Some loss and erosion, as one would expect of a one thousand year old ceramic. 5″ high.
