NECKREST, KALI LALONI
TONGA
Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000
Auction: 13 March 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
sculpted wood, the gently curving, two-tone pillow seamlessly connects to broad legs through two triangular wedges carved beneath, each fitting into V-shaped notches at the top of the paired legs
Dimensions
40cm wide
Provenance
Marquis Joseph-Fidèle-Eugène du Bouzet (1805-1867), acquired in situ between 1838 and 1840
Peter Petrou, London
Private collection, United Kingdom, acquired from the above
Footnote
This chiefs neckrest from 19th century Tonga is a beautifully harmonised example of the traditional carvers craft.
Tongan neckrests, with their minimalist, ergonomic forms crafted from single pieces of wood, have had a lasting influence on modern and contemporary design. Their streamlined construction and functional elegance encouraged designers to embrace simplicity, using organic shapes that prioritise both form and utility. Among those influenced was British designer Gerald Summers, known for his innovative, modernist approach. Captivated by the seamless construction of Tongan neckrests, Summers sought to distill furniture to its essentials, creating clean, organic forms with no excess material. His iconic "Bent Plywood" furniture, particularly the armchairs, captures the same simplicity and elegance that defines the Tongan aesthetic.