Lot 1
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 712 to 332 BCE. A grand and finely carved Egyptian wooden sarcophagus mask, sculpted in large and imposing scale to guard the passage of a soul into eternity. This stately and expressive example once adorned the upper section of an anthropoid coffin, serving as both an emblem of protection and an idealized likeness of the deceased. Uniquely constructed, the face has been fashioned from a separate block of wood, carefully joined to the larger form of the wig and upper chest - a technique occasionally employed to achieve finer facial detail or to repair earlier damage during the life of the object. Rendered with sensitivity and balance, the face is gently modeled with huge, almond-shaped eyes, softened cheeks, and full lips held in a placid expression of otherworldly calm. The brows and nose are crisply defined, and the lips show a delicate downturn at their corners, lending the figure a sense of reflection and quiet gravity. Size: 9.3" L x 15.8" W x 19.9" H (23.6 cm x 40.1 cm x 50.5 cm)
The long tripartite wig descends in thick panels over the shoulders, evoking divine iconography associated with deities and elite mortuary portraiture. Its volume and form are conveyed with a sculptural weight that enhances the frontal presence of the mask, intended to confront the viewer with the idealized, sanctified image of the deceased.
Such masks were not mere decorative features, but potent ritual instruments within the Egyptian belief system. They helped ensure that the ba, or soul, could recognize and return to the body, anchoring the deceased's identity within the tomb while offering a perfected visage suitable for judgment before the gods. The scale and refinement of this example suggest it was commissioned for an individual of considerable rank - possibly a noble, priest, or senior official - whose funerary furnishings would have reflected both status and piety.
Though burial practices evolved over Egypt's long history, the Late Dynastic period remained deeply committed to traditional forms and religious concepts. In the face of political instability and foreign incursions, Egyptian artisans turned inward, reaffirming the visual language of their ancestors with renewed devotion. This mask is a moving testament to that continuity - a face composed not to capture the traits of an individual life, but to embody the eternal constancy of Egyptian cosmology. Still solemn, still watchful, it remains a quiet sentinel of the afterlife.
Cf. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, M.80.196.13.
Provenance: private Boca Raton, Florida, USA collection, acquired via Baidun Collection, Jerusalem, Israel in May 2021; ex-private A.Z. collection, France, French passport #132645; ex-Pierre Berge & Associes, Paris, France, November 2011
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#194893
- Condition: Weathering to surface commensurate with age with some chipping, splintering, fissures to wood, and areas of old, inactive insect damage. Some wooden dowels may have possibly been replaced. Otherwise, excellent and impressively preserved with nice detail. Suspension wire on verso for display.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |