This unusual carving was described as a lizard by Georges Rodrigues in 1970, who attributed it to the Senufo. He wrote that: This object is a head rest used only by the old and important men of the Senufo tribe. In resting their head on the wood lizard one must acquire the wisdom and longevity of this animal...It can be found in the north-east of the Ivory Coast around Korhogo, Ferkersidougou, Boundiali and the Mali boundary. In our opinion the animal represented is more likely to be a tortoise.