A Selection of Headrests
The ancient Egyptians when sleeping used
wooden
headrests in
the form of a curved "pillow" mounted on a
column-like structure.
They sometimes covered part of it with linen
wadding to provide more comfort.
An ivory headrest from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Shu, the god of the air,
holds the curved head support. The two lions represent the mountains
on the
eastern and western horizons between which the Sun rose and set.
Wooden and stone headrests, some with
protective
symbols or inscriptions.
Stone headrests were often carved to go into
the tombs for the use of the dead.
