An Egyptian Painted Wood Mummy Mask

Late Period, 26th-30th Dynasty, 664-343 B.C.

Height 25 3/16 inches (64 cm).

This lot is located in Chicago.

Provenance:

Drouot Estimations, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Vente Classique, 10 June 2016, Lot 6.

In ancient Egypt, death masks were made in the likeness of the deceased so that the soul could recognize its body and return to it in the afterlife. From carved wood to cartonnage (a material made from papyrus or linen and soaked in plaster), artisans used different materials and techniques to create these masks. Royal death masks, perhaps the most famous being that of Tutankhamen, were made from precious metals. Although these masks were intended to resemble the deceased subject, the eyes were typically enlarged and lips together to make a subtle smile.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

[email protected]312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

Ancient Art & Natural History: A Cabinet of Curiosities

An Egyptian Painted Wood Mummy Mask

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup