Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, Dynasties 26 through 30, ca. 662 to 315 BCE. An ever watchful pair of ancient bronze and limestone eyes and eyebrows, the alluring arched bronze eye rims with extended cosmetic lines, inlaid with limestone sclera, painted with round black irises. Eyes like these were placed onto wooden mummy masks. Size of one eye: 3.2" W x 1" H (8.1 cm x 2.5 cm); 6.4" H (16.3 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 body in linen, and then embalming. Death masks like these eyes 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 in particular were used by the deceased to see in death.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#139058

Dark patina on the bronze. The stone is darkened with age. One eyebrow is missing part of one end (why it appears shorter and with less of a curve than the other). Nicely matched pair with wear commensurate with age.