Group of bedroom furniture
From Thebes, Egypt
New
Kingdom, 1550-1069 BC
Wooden furniture typically found in the
bedroom
Furniture is frequently shown in tomb
decoration. The so-called 'scenes of daily life'
often show seated figures: the tomb owner overseeing some activity
of everyday life or receiving offerings; friends and family taking
part in a banquet. Bedroom scenes are far rarer. However, furniture
is depicted most often in funerary processions, in which the
deceased's personal belongings are brought to the
tomb.
The inclusion of
personal furnishings in the tomb was very important for the comfort
of the dead person in the Afterlife. The tomb of Tutankhamun
contained a wide range of beds, boxes, chairs and other items, some
of which he used during life, others that were made especially for
the tomb. The tombs of the élite were less well provisioned.
However, the coffin was sometimes placed on a low bed and a
headrest placed inside the coffin by the head of the deceased.
Boxes positioned close to the coffin often contained the
owner's toilet equipment and jewellery, while others held
different household items. The boxes were used like cupboards are
today, and indeed the carpentry techniques used in their
manufacture are still being employed.
M. Stead, Egyptian life (London, The British Museum Press, 1986)
S. Quirke and A.J. Spencer, The British Museum book of anc (London, The British Museum Press, 1992)