One of the features of Egyptian funerary practices that persisted throughout time was the mummy masks. Mummy masks first appeared during the First Intermediate Period (~2181 BCE), and were last used during the Roman Period (~395 AD). While the styles certainly changed, their purpose of protecting the mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ remained the same. The function of protection is made explicit by Spell 151 from the Book of the Dead. Spell 151 also restores the ability of the dead to see through the mask. Spell 151 even appears on the back of the mask of Tutankhamun ππ πππ ±ππΉπΎπΊπ!
This mask is from the Roman Period, and itβs always so interesting to see the merging of the two π» different styles. The mask is made of cartonnage (kind of like paper mache) and is covered in gold ππππ leaf, which is typical of Ptolemaic/Roman masks. The mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ is wearing a nemes ππ π΄ style headdress, and Khepri π£πππ (the winged scarab ππͺπππ£) can be seen on the head πΆπΊ. Khepri π£ππ is a symbol of rebirth.
What makes this mask so beautiful π€ are all of the small details in the gold ππππ leaf. The most prominent is the deceased (as a mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ) standing before ππ Osiris πΉπ¨π. The protective cobras ππππππͺ also adorn the mask. Daisies/Rosettes are seen as decoration along with the Wedjat-eyes π on each side. Both of these are also symbols of rebirth!
During Roman times, masks were mass produced in workshops so it is unlikely that this mask represents a specific person.
