A well preserved ancient Egyptian wooden headrest, dating to the Old Kingdom, 2686 - 2181 BC.
The form of the headrest is one of simple elegance; the wide, sloping base with a flat foot, the cylindrical neck subtly tapering with a rectangular joint at the top, fitting the bowed neck support or 'pillow'. The knotted, sinous wood exaggerates the form and imbues the piece with an almost monumental presence.
Egyptian headrests maintained the same basic shape throughout their long history. They were often made of wood, like this example, but could also be made of stone. The use of a headrest not only ensured a relatively comfortable position while sleeping, but also enabled air to circulate around the head, an added advantage in the hot, dusty climate of Egypt. However, it is likely that the surviving examples were made primarily for use in the afterlife and were not intended for everyday use.
This fascinating piece would have been carefully placed close to the head of the mummy within the tomb, either on top of the coffin, or within it. The headrest was considered an integral part of the burial assemblage, and was regularly illustrated on sarcophagi. The deceased was regarded as a ‘sleeper’, expected to be woken by a spell in the Book of the Dead. Indeed, the lifting up of the head of the mummy at resurrection was associated with getting up after waking from a deep sleep.
Old Kingdom headrests are particularly rare and are seldom encountered on the art market. For a more common New Kingdom example that sold at Bonhams in 2005, please follow this link.
Height: 6 3/4 inches.
Condition: Very good. As shown, with wear synonymous with an ancient wooden artefact, unrestored.
Provenance:
Formerly in the collection of Alison Pearson, dispersed 1970's and subsequently part of a British private collection. Several inscriptions on the base, including an early 20th tag reading "[...] 20th Dynasty [sic]."
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