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headrest

Above Left
Like many of the objects placed in burials, this headrest was probably made for funerary use rather than actually used in everyday life. Notice how tall it is? It would have been placed under the head of the mummy as it lay on its left side in the coffin.

Egypt, Old Kingdom
4th-5th Dynasties, ca. 2575-2323 B.C.

"Headrest with Fluted Pedestal"
Calcite (Egyptian alabaster), 9 x 7 7/8 x 3 3/4 inches
Funded by John A. Manget, 1921.7
Collection of the Michael C. Carlos Museum

Above Right
Wooden headrests, often covered with cloth to provide some cushion, were used as pillows for sleeping during life.

Egypt, New Kingdom
Mid-18th Dynasty, ca. 1500-1400 BC

"Headrest"
Wood, 6 5/6 x 12 1/8 x 3 inches
Funded by John A. Manget, 1921.35
Collection of the Michael C. Carlos Museum

ODYSSEY HOME NEAR EAST Egypt GREECE ROME

© Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University,
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester and Dallas Museum of Art
For more information please contact odyssey@emory.edu.
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