Ancient Egyptian Faience Beaded Mummy Mask

A beautiful Ancient Egyptian restrung beaded mummy mask, composed mostly of small flat cylindrical turquoise faience beads, surrounded by a blue faience beads border. Detailing of the features has been created in black beads for eyes and eyebrows, with red and yellow beads for the nose and mouth. The neck of the mask displays stripes of red, blue, black and a double stripe of cream at the bottom. All beads display range of vibrant hues.

Masks of this type rose to popularity in the Late Period of Ancient Egypt. Such masks served both decorative and symbolic importance, as according to the ancient Egyptian tradition, the burial of the dead was an elaborate course of ritualisation. Their unnaturalistic style combined with the similarity to many other beaded masks indicate they were unlikely to be modelled after the deceased individual. Instead, they are mostly interpreted as a generic image of a human face. Such masks may use to serve as visual representation of the god Osiris, as accordingly to the blue-greenish colour normally reserved for depiction of the god of dead, resurrection and life.

Measurements: L 11. 5 cm x W 12. 2 cm

Provenance: from Mariaud de Serres collection, Paris 1980s-90s.