Lot 1
Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A lovely example of a hand-carved cedar mask that would have attached to the exterior of a sarcophagus lid rather than to the face of a mummy. The endearing vizard is first covered in a thin layer of plaster before being painted with yellow, blue, red, black, white, and green pigments, and the face itself is covered in a thin layer of golden-hued foil. The acorn-shaped mask features a slender nose above red lips, large eyes with elongated exterior canthi, sweeping brows, and a petite chin, all beneath a headdress adorned with parallel vertical stripes. A pair of dowel holes on the verso indicate how the mask stayed put atop the sarcophagus lid. Size: 6.8" W x 7.4" H (17.3 cm x 18.8 cm); 10.125" H (25.7 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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#170915
- Condition: Gold-hued pigment across face is a modern addition, but all black and polychrome pigment is original to the mask. Repairs to several painted plaster fragments along headdress, with thick adhesive residue visible along break lines. Losses to large portion of painted plaster on proper left side of headdress and smaller area to proper right side of headdress as shown. Chipping to plaster layer across face and peripheries, with touch-up painting to white and black pigment of eyes, smooth earthen deposits across most surfaces, light fading to original pigment, and minor creasing or wrinkles to some gold-colored areas. Great preservation to overall form and pigment in most areas. Please note: some areas of painted plaster are extremely fragile and may chip off during transit.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |