This mask is dated to the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom c. 1492-1473 B.C.E). It is also made of catonnage, which is the ancient Egyptian version of paper-mache – cartonnage is usually made of up linen. Just like the Roman mask I posted yesterday, this mask is also overlaid with gold foil ππππ. Gold ππππ is a metallic element, and one of the properties of metallic elements is that they are malleable. This means that they can be hammered into very thin sheets. This made gold ππππ very easy to work with!
I love the eyes πΉππ₯ of this mask! The eyes πΉππ₯ are made of two different types of stone ππππ. The white πππ³ part is alabaster π±ππ, which is usually a form of the minerals calcite or gypsum. The black ππ part is made of obsidian. Obsidian is an extrusive igneous rock which form when lava from a volcano cools instantaneously. This rapid cooling gives obsidian a glass-like appearance which is why obsidian is often referred to as volcanic glass.
This mask belonged to a woman πππππ named Hatnefer who died in her 70s. Hatnefer was able to get such a mask because her son π was Senemut π’ππ πΌ, aka Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ most trusted advisor! Due to Senemutβs π’ππ πΌ rise in status, he was able to provide a nice burial and tomb ππ«ππ for his mother π ππ. Senemut π’ππ πΌ also used his motherβs π ππ death as an opportunity move his father πππ from his original burial place into this tomb ππ«ππ.
Hatneferβs tomb ππ«ππ was discovered in 1936, during the METβs Egyptian Expedition.