Lot 5
Egypt, Late Dynastic, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A dramatic sarcophagus mask with a red, black, and white striped headdress, bronze eyebrow and eyelid inlays (oxidized to blue-green hues), large stone eye inlays, heart-shaped lips, a straight noble nose, and elegant contours, all on a russet red face with a long beard. This mask exudes a lifelike air not often seen in Egyptian art. Masterfully carved from imported wood, layered with gesso over woven textile, impressively detailed with paint and inlays. Custom stand. Size: 9.25" W x 18.875" H (23.5 cm x 47.9 cm); 19.375" H (49.2 cm) on included custom stand.
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 this example 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. Artisans used different materials. Earlier masks were carved from wood. Later, cartonnage, a material made from papyrus or linen and soaked in plaster which was then applied to a wooden mold, was used. Royal death masks, perhaps the most famous being that of Tutankhamen, were made from precious metals. All death masks were intended to resemble the deceased subject; however, eyes were always slightly enlarged and lips presented in a subtle smile as we see in this example.
This mask will come with C-14 results showing that it is approximately 2475 years old plus or minus 10%.
Provenance: ex-Meador collection acquired over thirty years ago
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#126946
- Condition: Beard reattached. Losses to gesso and paint. Stains between eyebrows, on temples, and cheeks. Some tears, losses, and fraying to fabric beneath. Wood on verso shows age cracks, nicks and abraded areas, and nice remains of original wooden dowels.
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