If you are interested in the ancient Egyptians, then you might be interested in knowing about their bedrooms. These structures were multi-functional and served a number of functions, including being a place for sleep, procreation and death. The designs of these structures were quite colorful and had crystals and jewels adorning the walls.
Beds were a staple in ancient Egyptian life. They were used for both sleeping and for procreation. In certain African tribes, beds are also used as a social focus.
Egyptians believed that the body would survive the afterlife. Specifically, the heart would be reborn as Osiris. The heart was also considered a metaphysical entity, as it embodied memory, wisdom, love, and sadness. As such, it weighed against the feather of the Ma'at.
Other objects found in Egyptian tombs include headrests. These were decorated with hieroglyphic motifs, which meant that the user would be protected. This protection often came from the shape and function of the object.
Another common motif on Egyptian headrests is that of the god Bes. He is associated with protecting children and sleeping people.
Various types of Egyptian furniture are also designed with this purpose in mind. There is a limestone example from Memphis that is currently on display at the Penn Museum. Similar figures are also available in other collections. A similar figurine from the Metropolitan Museum of Art is depicted as a woman on a bed.
Egyptians viewed their society as a complex web of gods and components. This was in contrast to Mesopotamian attitudes that viewed their society as disembodied. Their religious beliefs were specifically tailored to the calendrical reality of their believers' lives.
Pharaohs, as the leaders of their dynasties, were known for their power and prestige. They ruled over large extended families. Usually, they had one or two major wives, many concubines, and dozens of children.
Unlike their Mesopotamian counterparts, the Egyptians did not cremate the dead. Instead, they thought that the physical body would survive and that the ka of the person could be reborn in the horizon.
The ancient Egyptians had a knack for making their homes multifunctional. They could function as sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, and even for transacting business. And they didn't just do it for the nobles.
The main furniture in an Egyptian bedroom consisted of a bed, perhaps a couch, and a table. These were generally constructed of wood, although bronze beds have been found. This material was a good choice for the pharaoh's tombs, since it was light and durable. But in most homes, the floor was made of mud tiles. For comfort, the sleeper would usually be covered with flax cords woven together to form a springy surface.
One of the most elegant designs of the time was the "cup and cover" motif, which is frequently found on bedposts in the later 16th century. There was also a newer version of this design, which used balusters formed on the legs.
In the same tomb, a folding wooden bed with bronze hinges was found. This type of bed may have been a novelty item in the tomb. It was probably intended for travelers who didn't want to carry a pillow, or even for the pharaoh himself.
Another example was a multifunctional structure called the Kang. These were used for sitting, sleeping, and reclining. This was in contrast to the common modern couch, which is primarily used for reclining. Moreover, the Kang is heated using hot air from a stove.
Other examples include a sloping mudbrick sleeping platform discovered at Giza in a Pyramid builders' settlement. Similarly, a marble couch is found in tombs.
However, the most important feature of all was the bedroom, a remarkably functional space for the pharaoh or the important people of the day. And it was a large space.
The bohemia of the early nineteenth century was located in Chelsea and Kensington. They lived in colonies with others. Eventually, the bohemia migrated south, to Soho. There were potteries, clay pits, and gravel pits in the neighborhood. Many of these places were bombed during the Second World War.
Bohemia was a loose association of people who did not follow the normal rules of society. Their lifestyle was not defined by their social status, gender, or race. Instead, they were regarded as gypsies, or roving gypsies. These people were often poor, but their homes were a haven for those who wanted to rebel against society.
In the 1950s, a new movement began. This was known as Functionalism. It was inspired by the principles of the Bauhaus movement. It emphasized simplicity, craft, and industry. The design of the buildings was not as complicated as the work of earlier architects, and it became popular. Most of the furniture used during this period was wood, and panelling was very common.
Bohemia has been lost over the years, as values have become more important. However, if you want to learn more about the past, there are some historical books on the subject. You can also visit a museum devoted to the bohemia of the 19th century. You might even be lucky enough to see the original bed that was used by the bohemians. Those beds were rectangular, with a raised platform, a perforated board at the foot of the platform, and an open end that rested the head of the sleeper. Today's beds look very similar to these.
Writing a historical book about bohemia is difficult, but it's possible to find some of the facts in some of the archives.
Beds were an integral part of the Egyptian home, and a vital way to sleep. In fact, the bed may have played a part in temple architecture as well as a way to bury the dead. It would have been a very different looking thing than the plethora of beds we see in modern homes.
Aside from the bed itself, there were also pillows and blankets. These blankets may have served as a mattress. There were also a lot of headrests. The headrests were often depicted with animal motifs, which meant they were designed to protect the sleeper. The headrests were also used to watch herds.
This was not the first time I've heard of a bed, but it was the first time I'd seen it in the context of Ancient Egypt. Usually, the only things we know about beds in the ancient world come from tombs. However, there was a bit of variation in the ways people slept. They might have slept on their sides, or in "fetal" burial positions. But the most common sleeping position was probably on a raised daise built into the room floor.
One of the most interesting parts of the talk was the overview of how the Egyptians actually used their bed. While most of the information was not new to me, it was helpful to hear it from someone who studied it for a long time.
