Ancient Egypt, Late Period Faience Beaded Mummy Mask
05
days
05
hours
26
minutes
49
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 350 - € 400
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 135773 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Ancient Egyptian Late Period beaded mummy mask in faience, circa 664–332 BC, with a winged scarab and the Four Sons of Horus; measures about 30.5 cm long by 16.6 cm wide, originally restrung in its original arrangement, in Good condition, provenance from a private collection with the Mariaud de Serres collection in Paris (1980s–1990s).
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A large 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 cream beads, and is framed by red 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 cream tone faience beads. Under the beaded scarab are the Four Sons of Horus. It is very rare to have this enlarged group rather than just the face. 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 30.5cm x W 16.6cm
Provenance: From Mariaud de Serres collection, Paris 1980-90s.
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
A large 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 cream beads, and is framed by red 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 cream tone faience beads. Under the beaded scarab are the Four Sons of Horus. It is very rare to have this enlarged group rather than just the face. 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 30.5cm x W 16.6cm
Provenance: From Mariaud de Serres collection, Paris 1980-90s.
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Egypt, Late Period
Century/timeframe
Circa 664-332 BC
Name of object
Beaded Mummy Mask
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Faience
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
