Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. An ever watchful pair of ancient leaded copper eyes and eyebrows, the alluring eye rims with extended cosmetic lines, elongated canthi, and heavy lids, once likely inlaid with white stone sclerae and black irises. Eyes like these were placed onto wooden mummy masks before burial to allow the soul to 'see' during its journey to the afterlife. Size of larger eye: 3" W x 1" H (7.6 cm x 2.5 cm) Size of larger brow: 3.5" L (8.9 cm) Size of pair as displayed: 7.25" W x 1.8" H (18.4 cm x 4.6 cm); 4.875" H (12.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Ancient Egyptians believed it was of the utmost importance to preserve a body of the deceased, because the soul needed a place to reside after the death. Preservation of the body was done via mummification - a process involving the removal of internal organs that were placed in canopic jars, wrapping the body in linen, and then embalming. The death masks that eyes like these would have adorned were created so that the soul could recognize the body and return to it. For this reason, death masks were made in the likeness of the deceased. The eyes were of course believed to allow the deceased to see following death.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired between 2008 and 2010; ex-Tom Cederlind collection, Portland, Oregon, USA

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#153906

Outer corner/canthi of one eye was reattached. Eyes are missing inlays, but one still has a small inner section of the white sclera. All leaded copper elements present with expected age wear and have developed an attractive green patina with encrustation shown.