Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask
Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask
Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask
Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask
Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask

Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask

SKU: MS.0036

Origin: Egypt
Circa: Third Intermediate Period, 21st - 25th Dynasty, c. 1070 BC - 712 BC
Dimensions: 9.5" Height ((24 cm.)
Medium: Wood

This stunning mummy mask, although showing clear signs of age, retains a breath-taking aura, with dark rich patina, and sparkling inlaid eyes. As per the custom it is comprised of wood, with remains of gesso-painting and a gilded linen-backed surface. The striking inlaid eyes are in fact from a later date of manufacture, but remain historically correct. There are three attachment holes to the rear which would have held wooden pegs fixing it to the body of the sarcophagus. 

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Private Collection of a Lady. Private collection, Germany; acquired at auction, Untermünkheim, Germany, 1973

Stable crack running from top of proper right side of head through eyebrow and proper right cheek. Remains of gesso-painted surface with fragile but stable cracking, with cream/light brown surface discolouration, remains of linen and wood surface visible where gesso-paint missing. Visible eyelines and eyebrow remaining, inlays now missing, suggest that inlaid eyes are not original but later addition. Under chin attachment hole with remains of wooden dowel, additionally two attachment holes on either side of head, one dowel missing. The back with one additional dowel hole at lip level, and two smaller attachment holes on top of head, and six small holes at the upper edge from a later hanging hook. The proper left crown of head with patches and trails of lighter brown. Overall with surface dirt discolouration.

In ancient Egypt, masks were primarily used for funerary purposes as death masks. Ancient Egyptians believed that it was extremely important to preserve the body of a dead person because the soul must have a place where to dwell upon death. Preservation of the dead body was achieved by mummification but it was also considered equally important for the soul to be able to recognize the body, so it can return to it. For such reason death masks were abundantly used, made in the likeness of the deceased. Early masks were made from wood, followed by masks in cartonnage, a material made from papyrus or linen and soaked in plaster and then fitted to a wooden mold. Royal death masks were made from precious metals, mostly gold or gold leaves on bronze. All death masks were made to resemble the deceased but with slightly enlarged eyes and a faint smile. They also showed the fashion of the moment with painted jewellery and makeup

Accompanied by radiocarbon analysis from Akademie der Wissenschaften, Heidelberg, Germany dating the mask to the 9th Century BC and also an analysis of the wood; scyamore and tamarisk.

J.H. Taylor and N.C. Strudwick, Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt. Treasures from The British Museum, Santa Ana and London 2005, pp. 70-1, pl. on p. 70.

M.A. Stadler, Ägyptische Mumienmasken, pp. 35 and 40

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Third Intermediate

Egyptian Wood Mummy Mask

Third Intermediate

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