A WOODEN MASK

Description:

Egypt, probably late period (664-332 BC) or earlier
H. 17,7 cm
Beautiful face mask of a mummy made of cedar wood. The facial features are finely modelled with almond-shaped eyes and a slightly suggested smile. Visible are three holes with remnants of the pegs for fastening to the coffin. The sarcophagus masks were originally primed with lime and painted polychrome. However, the almost complete absence of the original paint gives this mummy mask with its exquisitely fine wood grain a special aesthetic appeal. The harder cedar wood was not available in Egypt and was therefore imported from Lebanon and the Syro-Palestinian region.
Important Bavarian private collection, most likely assembled before 2000, documented with a polaroid before 2000 - Wear, Minor damages