Archaeology & Antiquities
Headrest of Irut
Permanent ExhibitionFunerary Object
Details
- Author / creator
- Egypt, Old Kingdom (2647–2124 BCE), Dynasties 5–6
- Object type
- Archaeology
- Date or period
- c. 2454–2140 BCE
- Dimensions summary
- Overall: 19.5 × 18.8 × 7.4 cm
- Site or findspot
- Saqqara, Egypt
- Cultural period
- Ancient
- Place of origin
- Egypt
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the Founder's Endowment, 1914
About this object
The ancient Egyptians used wooden headrests as pillows. Stone headrests were replicas made for the tomb. This example is inscribed on the top of the supporting column for "the king’s noblewoman, Irut."
Materials and technique
Travertine
