Auction Date:2012 Nov 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-06:00 : CST/MDT)
Location:P.O. Box 714, Erie, Colorado, 80516, United States
This is a beautiful mummy mask or, more properly described, a head cover. It is a particularly fine example because of its vibrant colours. It dates to the Graeco-Roman Period, circa 1st century BC - 1st century CE.
The face is characterized by large eyes and eyebrows, a small nose and a small, smiling mouth with full lips which are not painted but indicated in profile. The prominent ears are visible in front of the lappets of the tripartite wig. These lappets are falling in front of the shoulders and chest, and probably imitate hair or a headcloth, decorated with alternating yellow and blue or black stripes. A reticulated or checkerboard pattern can be seen to the left and right of the lappets as well as above the hairband. Between the lappets a broad collar is visible on the chest, displaying a decoration of lotus flowers, small circles or dots, and other elements, probably imitating strings of beads. Some water lines are also visible.
Above the forehead is a diadem or striped headband, holding the wig in its place, with a central sun disc. Partly on the forehead and partly on top of the head we see the depiction of a vulture, its wings spread in a sign of protection; the animal is wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt and might therefore be a representation of the goddess Nekhbet. A sun disk can be seen near the head of the goddess. She is carrying two round objects in her talons, which are probably shen signs, symbolising eternity. From these a ribbon runs to either side, mixing with the stripes on the lappets of the wig.
The mask has incredibly beautiful colours: yellow, red, brown, white, black, green and blue. Under magnification the ground grains of the minerals are clearly visible, especially a beautiful, dark deep blue. Very prominent is the use of yellow. This colour was often used to replace the much more expensive gilding (or gold) that can sometimes be seen on funerary masks. The use of gold or gold leaf was connected to the belief that the sun god Re, with whom the deceased hoped to be united, had flesh of pure gold, and to the fact that gold does not tarnish, therefore guaranteeing immortal life.
Background information: Ancient Egyptian cartonnage was made from layers of linen or papyrus, which were coated with gesso and then painted. It was used to make masks, covering only the head or also the upper body, foot cases, symbolic plaques and even full body covers which were attached to the mummy.
During the manufacturing process moist layers of adhesive-soaked linen and gesso (which was either calcium carbonate based or calcium sulphate based) were moulded into the desired shape, usually over a mould. Once it had hardened, the gessoed surface was smoothed before paint or even gold leaf was applied.
Mummy masks were principally used to protect the face of the deceased, but they could also act as a substitute for the mummified head in case that should be lost or damaged. The ancient Egyptians believed that the ba (often incorrectly translated as “spirit”) could leave the tomb and travel freely in the world of the living. To make sure that upon returning it would recognize the mummy, whose face was hidden by layers of bandage, the mask functioned as a portrait. Nevertheless, most masks had idealized features and were rarely particularized portraits.
Provenance: Dutch private collection E.B.; previously collection Hirsch, Germany (2006); previously German private collection, acquired around 1975.
Approximate dimensions: Height 43 cm, width 27 cm, depth 21 cm. As is the case with many masks made of cartonnage, which is a relatively fragile material, the mask was slightly bent, due to the conditions in which it has been for two millennia and possibly due to the loss of support somewhere during that time. This had an effect on the layer of hardened gesso, causing some breaks - luckily unimportant ones - and the loss of small fragments of gesso. The mask has been professionally treated to bring back its original shape, and treated with paraloid for stabilisation; a few small loose fragments have been reattached and the small breaks in the stucco layer realigned, introducing an adhesive; one small area of the stucco layer is missing, ca 7.5 x 2.2 cm maximum, near the lower end of the broad collar; a few small areas where the black paint was worn have been touched up, especially on the wig on the back side; during inspection under ultraviolet light it was shown that this only applies to a small part of the mask; part of the lines indicating the right ear missing; the proper left shoulder is still bent inward; the lower end of the back side is damaged, as shown, but this is normally not noticeable when the mask is put on display. In spite of this long list of (small) defects, which might give the impression that the mask is poorly preserved, the mask is in very good condition overall.
The starting price is the price at which the item can sell.
To place a bid on this auction lot, please contact us at antiquitiessaleroom@gmail.com
Auction Location:
P.O. Box 714, Erie, Colorado, 80516, United States
Previewing Details:
From the time the auction catalogue is published online until items are auctioned.
Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Antiquities-Saleroom prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| CO |
2.9% |
Colorado State Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
18% |
Additional Fees:
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The following are the TERMS OF SALE for bidding in Live Auction, Friday, November 16th, 2012.
AUCTION will start at 10 a.m. MT, noon EST, 9 a.m. PST - Bid Live or Leave Absentee Bids.
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Good luck!