Egyptian, Late Period, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. An elegant sarcophagus mask finely carved from wood and presenting a handsome face strongly modeled with dramatic features including large almond-shaped eyes, an arched browline leading to a naturalistic nose, and full lips with a characteristically long, slender long false beard that was probably once painted so as to depict a braid. Nice white pigment remains on much of the surface. What did the false beard symbolize in ancient Egypt? In real life, Egyptian men were usually clean-shaven; however, pharoahs (whether male or female) wore false, plaited beards that resembled large braids. Although scholars have not figured out why they did this, some have suggested that the false beards linked the pharoahs to the gods. Size: 11" H (27.9 cm); 13.25" H (33.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#142907

Age cracks and losses to peripheries and high pointed areas such as the nose as shown. There is a hole on the verso presumably for once attaching to the sarcophagus or former suspension. Expected surface wear, but nice remains of white pigmentation.