Site Loader
Rock Street, San Francisco
  • Current Language:
  • fr
  • Select Language:

This is the rating and price for Egyptian Sarcophagus Mask W/ Bronze & Stone Eyes



Description : Egypt, Late Dynastic, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A dramatic sarcophagus mask with a red, black, and white striped headdress, bronze eyebrow and eyelid inlays (oxidized to blue-green hues), large stone eye inlays, heart-shaped lips, a straight noble nose, and elegant contours, all on a russet red face with a long beard. This mask exudes a lifelike air not often seen in Egyptian art. Masterfully carved from imported wood, layered with gesso over woven textile, impressively detailed with paint and inlays. Custom stand. Size: 9.25 W x 18.875 H (23.5 cm x 47.9 cm), 19.375 H (49.2 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 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. Royal death masks, perhaps the most famous being that of Tutankhamen, were made from precious metals. All death masks were intended to resemble the deceased subject, however, eyes were always slightly enlarged and lips presented in a subtle smile as we see in this example. This mask will come with C-14 results showing that it is approximately 2475 years old plus or minus 10%. Provenance: ex-Meador collection acquired over thirty years ago 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. #126946
Price: 5 291.25 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 7000 USD-9000 USD It's free to register now to view!

About the lot N° 5
Title : Egyptian Sarcophagus Mask W/ Bronze & Stone Eyes
Condition report : Beard reattached. Losses to gesso and paint. Stains between eyebrows, on temples, and cheeks. Some tears, losses, and fraying to fabric beneath. Wood on verso shows age cracks, nicks and abraded areas, and nice remains of original wooden dowels.
Artemis Gallery, auctioneer It's free to register now to view!
Sale title : Exceptional Antiquities & Ethnographic Art
Sale date : 15 Feb 2018 It's free to register now to view!
Sale Reference : Live Sale

Interested in valuating work ? 

AfricartMarket Insights

Access exclusive information.Sign-up here for our newsletter and we’ll keep you updated. You can unsubscribe at any time.

 

We respect your privacy. No spam.