Mumienmaske

Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst München

Description

Coffins were meant to mechanically protect the body of the deceased, which was indispensable for existence in the afterlife. The head was of particular importance, so it was often additionally encased in a mask, which could be made of cardboard or stucco, and in rare cases of precious metal. The mummy mask shown here is made of silver with a gold-plated surface. This makes it clear that it must have come from a particularly rich tomb.

As there are no silver deposits in Egypt, it could only enter the country as a commodity or tribute. This happened to a significant extent in the epochs of the Third Intermediate Period (21st to 24th Dynasty, c. 1070-712 BC) and the Persian Period (27th Dynasty, 525-404 BC). Stylistically, the mummy mask in Munich can be compared to the grave goods of the royal tombs of the 21st and 22nd dynasties in Tanis. In addition to jewellery, vessels and mummy masks, these also include a coffin made entirely of silver.

Author

Jan Dahms, SMÄK

Rights Statement Description

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0