Skip main navigation

Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Headrest of Shemai

Want to add this object to a set? Please join the Posse, or log in.

Headrest of Shemai

This headrest—the Egyptian version of a pillow—was found in the tomb of a man named Shemai. Headrests were believed to have magical powers that protected the head from evil spirits. The inscription on this example invokes Osiris, god of the afterworld, suggesting that Shemai had it made specifically for his tomb.

Medium: Egyptian alabaster
Place Made: Deir el Nawahid, Egypt
Dates: ca. 2288-2170 B.C.E.
Dynasty: VI Dynasty
Period: Old Kingdom
Dimensions: 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm) Base: 6 3/16 x 2 3/4 in. (15.7 x 7 cm)
Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
Accession Number: 59.3
Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Image: Front, 59.3_front_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Tags

Separate each tag with a space: painting portrait.

Or join words together in one tag by using double quotes: "Brooklyn Museum."

Tags by Posse

tamazovich (5)
- sleep
- headrest
- egyptian
- stone
- inscribed
mayotic (5)
- Egyptian
- Ancient Egypt
- Headrest
- Alabaster
- Shemai

Favorites

This object has been favorited by 1 user.

Search the Collection

Location: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
Telephone: (718) 638-5000; TTY: (718) 399-8440
Admission: Suggested Contribution: $10; Students with Valid ID: $6; Adults 62 and over: $6; Members: Free; Children under 12: Free
Hours: Wednesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Get detailed hours
Subway: Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum Get detailed directions