Mummy Mask with Udjat Eye

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Late Ptolemaic period, 1st century B.C.

Material: Cartonnage

Dimensions: 39.8 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1520

Provenance: Dutch collection V. D. W., Hoofddorp, acquired prior to 1983. Last in the French art market. With a copy of the collection inventory list.

Condition: Beautifully preserved mask with strong colours, which are stabilized with varnish. Otherwise only minimal flaking.

Description: Expressive, polychrome painted cartonnage mummy mask made of written papyri. The mask with a tripartite wig and a yellow filet with red stripes and gold, sculpturally protruding beads, which is tied in the back of the head. In the centre of the filet a Horus eye (“udjat eye”) in raised relief. The front part of the wig with blue stripes and gold-yellow bead decoration. The end of the lobes with horizontal red and blue stripes. Between the lobes an abundantly decorated collar with ten rows. On the sides of the wig a grid-shaped pattern on a red base. The face with extraordinarily fine features, the eyes with large round pupils, thin, black framing and long lid line. Above finely drawn, thin brows. The ears protrude from the wig, nose and mouth are sculpturally formed and like the facial skin ochre coloured. Mounted.