Mummy Mask, 150-200 (plaster & pigment)

Life size painted plaster mask of a man, from a coffin or cartonnage. Inlaid eyes, curled hair, small beard and moustache. Technique: Eyes inlaid, opaque white glass with dark brown opaque glass pupils, eyebrows painted black. Small moustache painted on upper lip. Beard is modelled and runs down cheek in slender strip toward the chin, stops and is resumed on chin. Hair at forehead modelled in long way locks; on top of head modelled in short curls. Flesh painted pink. Ears flare slightly. Workmanship of excellent quality. Condition: Perfect except for slight crack running from the right ear to forehead. A cross bar has been inserted in back between the ears, presumably in the Museum, for installation. Dating: Treatment of hair and beard together with the use of opaque glass inlays for eyes points to about the time of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) as the probably date. Impossible to determine angle at which head was intended to rest as back is completely missing but probably it was elevated slightly.