Mask

Commonly manufactured mummy mask, the organs (nose, ears, lips and eyeballs) of which are very likely appliqués. The face is beige, but it was probably yellow, a colour reminiscent of that of gold. The eyebrows and the makeup line are gold-leafed and incised with a chevron pattern. The contour of the eyes and the iris are black. The grave expression of this mask is enhanced by the full and drooping lips. One hundred and seventy masks or fragments thereof were found in the necropolis of Mirgissa/Iken. The practice, attested from the end of the Old Kingdom, appears widespread here, though reserved for wealthy individuals. The conservation of the masks varies considerably, though several have been found almost intact. Although several masks with feminine features have been identified, most bear masculine traits. Some appear relatively stereotyped, but others have more individualised facial features and could potentially be real portraits. A variety of technical details suggests that these masks were actually made at Mirgissa/Iken, and this is confirmed by several archaeological observations.

MIRGISSA 

13TH DYNASTY 

 

 INSTITUT DE PAPYROLOGIE ET D'ÉGYPTOLOGIE, UNIVERSITÉ DE LILLE III 

Inventory number

E 25 691

Andreu Guillemette, Nubie, les cultures antiques du Soudan, catalogue d'exposition, Lille, 1994, p.132 et 134, n°182.
Vila André, " Les masques funéraires", dans J. Vercoutter, Mirgissa III, Paris, 1976, p.185, fig.11, n°29,pl. H.T IV, n°24.
Vila André, "La nécropole du plateau occidental (MX)", dans J. Vercoutter, Mirgissa II, Paris, 1975, p. 46.

http://www.globalegyptianmuseum.org/record.aspx?id=6056