W917

 

Ptolemaic cartonnage mask with gilt face and rosette ribbon. Gold items were often associated with the dead as gold was the colour of the flesh of the gods. Gold is also an eternal metal as it does not tarnish. In addition the blessed dead were thought of as ‘shining’ (the akhu).

This piece measures 30.5 x 17 x 37.5cm

Other Graeco-Roman Mummy Masks in the Egypt Centre