Neckrest c. 1900

This neckrest was carved from wood by an unknown artist. We can see the marks of the hand tool used to bring it into being. Wood is an accessible material, and the work involved in carving it has, for centuries, been something within reach of many people. Look at the way the figure is carved; notice the gentle shaping of the face, and the angularity of the beard. The figure kneels on a base that's decorated with a repeating pattern of lines and indentations. On top, a simple, smoothly curved rest for the neck. This isn't high-tech, or high art, but is beautifully executed nonetheless. It speaks of skill, and of care taken in its making. It encourages us to think about the role of handcraft in everyday life. Perhaps it makes us question why we might value a painting, more than an object that supports our head.