An example of an Egyptian mummy mask made of small faience beads, restrung in their original arrangement. Green, black, turquoise blue, red and cream tones have been used to render, in a highly stylised manner, a human face with a neutral expression. The large trapezoid eyes, long thin eyebrows, broad nose and small mouth are arranged in a perfectly symmetrical manner. The main body of the mask is comprised of green beads, and is framed by darker beads. Detailing of the features has been created in black beads outlining the eyes and eyebrows, with cream and red for the nose and mouth. Cream beads fill in the eyes. The mask is enriched by a tripartite panel under the chin of the mask, followed by a beaded composition forming a winged scarab, rendered in dark turquoise faience beads. Elongated faience beads in hues of turquoise, green, black, blue and green frame the entire composition. Masks of this type rose to popularity in the Late Period of Ancient Egypt. They likely had both a decorative and symbolic role, and would have been placed over the face of the deceased at their burial, as the burial of the dead in Ancient Egypt was an elaborate and ritualised process. Winged scarabs, symbol of re-birth and regeneration, were usually modelled in faience and placed as pectoral embellishment on the chest of the mummy. According to mythology, the Four Sons of Horus each were attributed a different organ to protect. For Imsety, the liver; for Duamutef, the stomach; for Hapi, the lungs; and for Qebehsenuef, the intestines. The four protected organs were removed from the body, embalmed, and then stored in their corresponding jar. Measurements: (circa) L 20.3cm x W 13.7cm Provenance: From Mariaud de Serres collection, Paris 1980-90s.