Lot 11
Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. An ever watchful pair of ancient eyes, the alluring arched copper alloy eye rims with extended cosmetic lines, inlaid with limestone or alabaster sclera, copper alloy irises, and black faience pupils. Ancient Egyptians believed it was of the utmost importance to preserve a body of the deceased, because the soul needed a place to reside after the death. Preservation of the body was done via mummification - a process involving the removal of internal organs that were placed in canopic jars, wrapping body in linen, and then embalming. Death masks like these eyes would have adorned were created so that the soul could recognize the body and return to it. For this reason, death masks were made in the likeness of the deceased. The eyes in particular were used by the deceased to see in death. These eyes would have come from a funerary mask or sarcophagus in a Royal burial. Size (both similar): 3.5" L x 1.1" W (8.9 cm x 2.8 cm)
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s; ex-private London, UK collection, 1970s
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#193222
- Condition: Some chipping to edges of sclera. Nicks and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, both are intact and very nice with rich earthen deposits and encrustations to versos. Nice green patina to copper alloy elements.
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