{"product_id":"egyptian-sarcophagus-mask","title":"Egyptian Sarcophagus Mask","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003eLate Period to Ptolemaic Kingdom, c. 660–30 BC, Egypt\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAn exceptional and rare Egyptian mummy mask depicting the frontal visage of an idealized individual, rendered with remarkable sensitivity and elegance. The face is characterized by a smooth, gessoed white complexion and a softly rounded ovoid form. Finely modeled features include a slender nose, full lips gently raised in a subtle smile, and large almond-shaped eyes framed by carefully arched brows and black-painted cosmetic details. The serene expression reflects the artistic conventions of Egyptian funerary portraiture, which sought to present the deceased in an eternally perfected state.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhile mummy masks and coffins were traditionally fashioned from wood or cartonnage—a composite material of linen, plaster, and paint—this unusual example was constructed from a mixture of mud and straw. The material would have been shaped and dried to form the mask's core before being carefully modeled and finished, ultimately becoming an integral part of the coffin. Examples produced in this manner are considerably less common and offer valuable insight into regional and economic variations within Egyptian funerary practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOriginally reserved for royalty and members of the highest elite, mummification became increasingly accessible over time, particularly during the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. Nevertheless, the commissioning of a personalized mummy mask remained a significant investment, suggesting that the owner belonged to a prosperous or privileged segment of society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBeyond preserving the likeness of the deceased, mummy masks fulfilled an essential religious function. They provided both physical and magical protection, ensuring that the individual's identity remained intact in the afterlife. Egyptian funerary rituals centered upon the belief that the body served as the vessel of the soul, and its preservation was therefore of paramount importance. Through the elaborate seventy-day mummification process and subsequent interment within a coffin and tomb, the deceased was prepared for a successful journey into the next world and eventual rebirth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis remarkable mask stands as a powerful testament to the spiritual beliefs, artistic achievements, and enduring concern with eternity that defined ancient Egyptian civilization for millennia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eGood condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip, with encrusted patina. Losses to areas of cheeks, neckline, coiffure, and mask peripheries as shown. Nice earthen deposits and great traces of original pigment throughout. Size approx. 16,5cm x 13,6cm\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e x 7,0cm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eProvenance: From the collection of Rolf Harald Lindholm (1934–2025), thence by descent to the current owner. The items were acquired in Egypt and brought to Sweden between 1960 and 1970, during Lindholm’s tenure as Secretary at the Swedish Embassy in Cairo.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Göta's World","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57111938826505,"sku":"100100610","price":2450.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0695\/1557\/5561\/files\/IMG_9912.jpg?v=1780562149","url":"https:\/\/gotasworld.com\/products\/egyptian-sarcophagus-mask","provider":"Göta's World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}