Ancient Egyptian Headrest of King Tutankhamun
This definitive postage stamp was issued in the early 1960s for use in the Gaza Strip under the administration of the United Arab Republic (UAR). Intended for a lower-weight tier or local supplementary postage rates, this 2-millieme stamp belongs to the regular definitive series inscribed with "PALESTINE" alongside the UAR country designation. By featuring iconic artifacts excavated from the Nile Valley, the postal system celebrated the foundational antiquity and ancient artistic heritage shared across the region.
The central illustration depicts a renowned masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship: the ivory headrest of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The design showcases the carved central figure of Shu, the ancient Egyptian god of the air, kneeling to support the curved head cushion, flanked on either side by two recumbent protective lions. Set against a striking, solid red background that emphasizes the sculptural silhouette, this widely circulated issue transformed daily civil mail into a presentation of classical history and regional archaeological wealth.
The central illustration depicts a renowned masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship: the ivory headrest of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The design showcases the carved central figure of Shu, the ancient Egyptian god of the air, kneeling to support the curved head cushion, flanked on either side by two recumbent protective lions. Set against a striking, solid red background that emphasizes the sculptural silhouette, this widely circulated issue transformed daily civil mail into a presentation of classical history and regional archaeological wealth.