Headrest

Headrest

Period: Middle Kingdom

Dynasty: Late Dynasty 11 - Dynasty 12

Date: ca. 2030–1802 B.C.

Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Tomb MMA 816, MMA excavations, 1929–30

Medium: Wood

Dimensions: h: 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm), w: 9 in. (22.9 cm)

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1931

Accession Number: 31.3.12

Headrests were used by ancient Egyptians to support a person's neck while sleeping. While the flat base board and curved top are consistent features, the form of the middle section varied. This type with six slender rods supporting the curved top is fairly rare. More common were single column-like supports between base and top.