Funerary Mask

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Object Details

Label

This carved face, whose eyes and cosmetic lines are inlaid with glass, was originally attached to a wooden coffin. A square hole cut under the chin was used to attach a ceremonial beard, no longer preserved.

During the New Kingdom (ca. 1539-1075 B.C.E.), members of the nobility were buried in mummy-shaped coffins made of wood with attached carved faces. This face most closely resembles examples dated to Dynasties 18 and 19 (ca. 1539-1190 B.C.E.), and was probably also made during that period.

Provenance

To 1909

Maurice Nahman (1868-1948), Cairo, Egypt, to 1909 [1]

From 1909 to 1919

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Maurice Nahman in 1909 [2]

From 1920

Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Miscellaneous List, S.I. 162, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt (January 28, 2023 to 2025)

A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt (Teaser) (October 21, 2022 - January 2, 2023)

The Nile and Ancient Egypt (December 7, 2013 to January 3, 2016)

Charles Lang Freer and Egypt (June 13, 1998 to October 2, 2011)

Art of Dynastic Egypt (December 15, 1976 to September 22, 1977)

Previous custodian or owner

Maurice Nahman (1868-1948) (C.L. Freer source)

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

Credit Line

Gift of Charles Lang Freer

Date

ca. 1539-1190 BCE

Period

New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 or 19

Accession Number

F1909.143

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Mask

Medium

Wood (sycamore fig) and glass

Dimensions

H x W x D: 20.3 x 16.1 x 8.4 cm (8 x 6 5/16 x 3 5/16 in)

Origin

Egypt

On View

West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), Gallery 20: A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

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National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

wood

New Kingdom (ca. 1539 - 1075 BCE)

Dynasty 18 (ca. 1539 - 1295 BCE)

Dynasty 19 (ca. 1292 - 1190 BCE)