Tonga Kali Dabala Chiefly Headrest

Period	19th century.
Origin	Tonga, Polynesia
Medium	Hard wood and coconut fiber.
Dimensions	57.7 x 12.8 x 15.2 cm (22³/₄ x 5 x 6 inches)
Gallery	Galerie Meyer-Oceanic Art

Description
Technical

A very fine classical kali dabala, or chiefly headrest from Tonga. The long flared neck-bar and square sectioned twin feet are representative of the finest architectural design. There is an unequaled finesse in the balance of the volumes and shapes used to construct this mundane device. Every single feature of this headrest is carefully thought out and perfectly crafted to achieve the refinement reserved for a person of the highest rank.

Period: 19th century.
Origin: Tonga, Polynesia
Medium: Hard wood and coconut fiber.
Dimensions: 57.7 x 12.8 x 15.2 cm (22³/₄ x 5 x 6 inches)
Provenance: Ex coll. : Leo Flieschman, Sydney, inv. N° LF/I19 ; Inv. N° Roy 399 ; Galerie Meyer, Paris ; F. Pujol, Barcelona.

Exhibited : OCEANIC HEADRESTS / APPUIE-NUQUE OCEANIENS. Gal. Meyer, Paris, 2004.

Literature: Published : OCEANIC HEADRESTS / APPUIE-NUQUE OCEANIENS. Gal. Meyer, Paris, 2004, N° 59
Categories: Tribal Art