Alabaster Headrest. Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BC). Headrests have been found in Egyptian tomb assemblages from the Early Dynastic Period (3000-2625 BCE) through the Ptolemaic Period (ca. 305-30 BCE), attesting to their long use in ancient Egypt. Headrests were used by ancient Egyptians to support a person's neck while sleeping. Examples found in museum collections around the world are made from a variety of materials such as wood, ceramic, ivory, and stone. While the flat base board and curved top are consistent features, the form of the middle section varied. This type has a single column-like supports between base and top. Old accession or inventory number written in white ink with black background reading, "AF354" to the underside of base. Provenance: Purchased by the current owner to a US Ancient Art Gallery (H). Previously at Xavier Sallet and Ines Heugel Collection (1990s-2000s; Paris, France). The Supplier warrants that he obtained this lot legally. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days. Important: For destinations out of Spanish territory: all our objects will be shipped after obtaining CERTIFICATE OF EXPORTATION by Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks.