Lot 2A
Egypt, Late Period, 25th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A wood carved mask with large eyes, a thin nose, and a small mouth. The figure has been carved with a large, rounded headdress that sits low across the forehead. The back of the mask is flat, with residual dowels and dowel holes visible. Minute remains of gesso remain on the surface. The mask was an essential part of the mummy, placed over the head to provide an idealized image of the deceased as they would be resurrected. This mask and others like it were traditionally carved from cedar. Size: 4.75" W x 8.4" H (12.1 cm x 21.3 cm)
Interestingly, cedar wood was not native to Egypt. Egypt did not have verdant forests filled with tall trees, and unfortunately most of its native lumber was of relatively poor quality. So they relied on importing to acquire hardwoods - ebony imported from Africa, cedar and pine from Lebanon. One fabulous obelisk inscription by Thutmose III attests to the luxury of treasured hardwoods. It reads as follows, "They brought to me the choicest products . . . consisting of cedar, juniper and of meru wood . . . all the good sweet woods of God's Land." The rarity of cedar meant that masks like this one were reserved for those who could afford them.
Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex-private collection, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA formed in the 1950s
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#126141
- Condition: Small losses to headdress, especially the right side (facing). Wood surface is worn from age and handling and in places cracked, but stable.
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