In ancient Egypt, wooden headrests –often made out of cedar due to its softness and aromatic properties- were used in everyday life in the same way that we use pillows today. They were an essential part of the household’s inventory since their appearance in the Second Dynasty, around 2,500 BC. Headrests were small objects, about 21 cm. (8.25 in.) H x 19 cm. (7.5 in.) W. x 8 cm. (3.15 in.) D. The simple type of headrest was carved from a single piece of wood, and had a broad rectangular base, designed for stability, a stem, and a cupped surface where the head rested padded with linen. Although this type barely changed throughout three centuries of Egyptian civilization –the Blue Glass Headrest of Tutankhamen being the perfect paradigm- there were multiple design variations and types. The one in the picture was made out of two interlocking pieces for collapsibility and height adaptability. Besides its domestic value, headrests were also important afterlife objects. Monolithic funerary headrests, made out of ivory or marble, were buried with the dead in the belief that they had magical powers to wake the dead from their sleep and help them begin their afterlife. There was another (pragmatic) reason for the use of headrests: to keep the mummy’s head from coming off of the body. Headrests forbore the modern notion of multifunctionality: they were symbol, ritualistic tool, health aid, comfort provider, priced possession, status setter and funerary icon, all in one.
