Dan's preparations and construction processes in the making of the Egyptian headrest copy

Dan Harrison, our talented and insightful intern/trainee, made a copy of a 4500-year-old Egyptian headrest. The copy is on display in our exhibition Forest to Furniture: Ideas in the Making at the River Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames. Dan had a great day researching the headrest with wonderful support from the staff at the Pitts Rivers Museum, Oxford, where the original headrest is on display. 

The photos here show Dan’s preparation and the various stages involved in the construction of the headrest copy.

Did you know that woodworkers have been at the centre of civilization building, from the first settlements over 10,000 years ago to the present day?

The original Egyptian headrest, made 4,500 years ago.
It's on display at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford

The original Egyptian headrest was made 4,500 years ago. The three sections are joined using a mortice and tenon joint, a method of construction ONLY employed in Britain for the last 500 years. It has been carved to create a very elegant form.

Copy of the headrest, made by Dan Harrison
On display at River Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames