Mummy Mask of a Young Woman

CultureEgyptian
Titles
  • Mummy Mask of a Young Woman
Date100–130 AD
Probable placeHermopolis, Egypt
MediumPainted plaster
Dimensions11 3/4 × 8 7/8 × 7 1/4 in. (29.8 × 22.5 × 18.4 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by The Brown Foundation, Inc., Isabel B. Wilson, Mary Porter, Nancy and Mark Abendshein, and Mrs. Thomas W. Blake
Object number2009.421
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
200 Jamail Atrium
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Antiquities
Description

This delicately modeled mask, which combines Egyptian and Roman customs, adorned the coffin lid of a young woman. Although the mask was created from a mold, realistic details have been added to give it a portrait-like quality.


 The young womanís lustrous, warm eyes are painted and glazed. Her skin is painted a pale yellow-pink, and her long black hair falls in waves. The edge of her pale blue dress frames her full neck, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and a pink cloak covers her shoulder. The mask's excellent condition and superb workmanship make it exceedingly rare.


 


ProvenanceThe Hispanic Society of America, New York, (inv. no. D1227, 1956), 1956–2004; [Christie's, New York, Rockerfeller Plaza, December 10, 2004, lot 383]; [Rupert Wace Ancient Art, London, 2004–2009]; purchased by MFAH, 2009.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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