Egyptian Polychrome Wooden Funerary Mask - Archaeology - Antique

Late Period, 26th–30th Dynasties, ca. 664–300 BC

Mummy mask carved in wood and coated with stucco, depicting an idealised face with regular features, intended to cover the head of a wrapped mummy.

The face follows the aesthetic canons of the Late Period: large almond-shaped eyes, strongly outlined in black, recalling the use of kohl, a straight nose, and a closed mouth with full lips. The flesh tones are rendered in a red-ochre polychromy, while the details of the eyes and headdress are accentuated with black pigments. Light highlights (white and cream) remain visible in places, corresponding to preparatory layers and successive decorative campaigns.

The upper part is surmounted by a short, schematically rendered wig or headdress, a characteristic feature of non-royal funerary productions of the Late Period.

The surface preserves significant remains of ancient polychromy, with cracks, lifting, losses and natural wear, resulting both from the ageing of the wood and from the conditions of funerary deposition. These alterations in no way detract from the legibility of the object and fully contribute to its archaeological authenticity.

Dimensions:
Height: 32 cm
Width: 27 cm
Depth: 8 cm

Provenance:
Former Dutch private collection.

Condition:
Good archaeological condition. Wear, cracks, losses and areas of polychromy loss consistent with age and the nature of the material.

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