Alabaster Headrest with Reliefs of Bes and Maat

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.

Material: Alabaster

Dimensions: 13.7 cm x 22.6 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 1315

Provenance: French private collection Pierre, Claude & Jeanine Verité, 1930-1980.

Condition: A small chip on the base is reattached, otherwise of excellent quality.

Description: Alabaster headrest made of one piece. Under the rounded upper section on each side a high relief of the bearded god Bes with a plumed headdress rising from a lotus blossom, which is worked out also in high relief on the vertical shaft. On each side of the base at the outside engraved depictions of the seated goddess Maat. The upper semicircular upper section was placed right above the ears under the skull. The shaft below should ensure the necessary height. A relatively comfortable sleeping position and the air circulation around the head were guaranteed. In tombs aising the mummy head was associated with resurrection.