61 - An Egyptian Painted Wood Mummy Mask

An Egyptian Painted Wood Mummy Mask Late Period, 26th-30th Dynasty, 664-343 B.C. Height 64 cm (25 1/4 inches). Property from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations Provenance: Drouot Estimations, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Vente Classique, 10 June 2016, Lot 6. Hindman Auctions, Chicago, Ancient Art & Natural History: A Cabinet of Curiosities, 10 November 2022, Lot 54. In ancient Egypt, death masks were made in the likeness of the deceased so that the soul could recognize its body and return to it in the afterlife. From carved wood to cartonnage (a material made from papyrus or linen and soaked in plaster), artisans used different materials and techniques to create these masks. Royal death masks, perhaps the most famous being that of Tutankhamen, were made from precious metals. Although these masks were intended to resemble the deceased subject, the eyes were typically enlarged and lips together to make a subtle smile.