Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A gorgeous and endearing example of a mask that is hand-carved from finely grained cedar that would have attached to the exterior of a sarcophagus lid rather than to the face of a mummy. Adorned with a layer of white gesso and painted in hues of crimson, cobalt, marigold, jet, and pearl, the vizard exhibits a full form with puffy cheeks and full lips to emphasize the relative feminine appearance. Sweeping brows and large, almond-shaped eyes with elongated canthi are outlined in black and flank a slender nose with gently flared nostrils, and additional red pigment is used to accentuate the lips. A bulbous headdress embellished with thick, colorful bands sits low along the forehead, and the entire face is enrobed in a layer of lustrous gold-hued pigment. A trio of dowel holes on the verso indicate how the mask stayed put atop the sarcophagus lid. Size: 6.9" W x 9.2" H (17.5 cm x 23.4 cm); 13.125" H (33.3 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 the 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.

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. Thus, 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 example were reserved for those who could afford them.

A similar example hammered for GBP 4,935 ($6,434.37) at Christie's, London, South Kensington "Antiquities" auction (live auction 9723, October 28, 2003, lot 215)

Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#170914

Gold-hued pigment across face is a modern addition, but all black and polychrome pigment is original to the mask. Loss to proper left portion of headdress and painted gesso in several areas as shown. Chipping to peripheries, verso, and gesso, with fading to pigment in some areas, light encrustations, and minor creasing or wrinkles on some gold-colored areas. Great preservation to overall form and most areas of pigment. Please note: painted plaster in some areas is extremely fragile and may chip off during transit.