Egyptian funerary mask

myminifactory

Polychrome and gilt cartonnage mask with a headband, sun disc, winged scarab, elaborate floral collar, and the god Osiris seated holding a crook and flail. Origin: Formerly part of Hugh Stanley Russell Collection in Worcestershire, assembled between 1950s and 1970s. Acquired at Bonhams auction house in 2005. In ancient Egypt, masks served two primary purposes: as death masks and ritual masks. The Egyptians believed preserving the dead body was crucial because the soul needed a place to reside after death. To achieve this, they practiced mummification – removing organs, placing them in canopic jars, wrapping bodies in linen, and embalming. Additionally, death masks were created in the likeness of the deceased from various materials to allow the soul to recognize its body upon return. These death masks eventually evolved into full-body inner coffins shaped like humans. Ritual masks were worn by priests during rituals, often featuring animal heads or the likenesses of gods. Priests wore these masks on their heads, which covered their shoulders and had a higher head than theirs, forcing them to peer through small holes at the neck. Other gods and goddesses also had their own masks. Ancient Egyptian religion was deeply significant, with temples serving as homes for deities and statues representing divine beings. Everything related to their faith was shrouded in mystery. This artifact is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit project initiated by MyMiniFactory, aiming to create a digital repository of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks worldwide for public access without charge. Scan the World is an open-source community effort, encouraging contributions from individuals with interesting items; those interested can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate.