An alabaster headrest dating to the 6th Dynasty.

An alabaster headrest dating to the 6th Dynasty (circa 2323-2150 BCE) or possibly later. It is made up of three parts: a rectangular base, a fluted stem, and a rectangular abacus supporting the crescentic pillow. This piece is now in a private collection. Photo: Sotheby's

The Egyptians used this style of the headrest in the same way that we nowadays use pillows while sleeping. The use of such pillow-like headrests spanned the Old Kingdom through the Graeco-Roman Period. They were made of a variety of materials, including wood and stone. Many of them were decorated, especially with depictions of protective deities such as Bes and Taweret to ward off evil during the dark night.