French 19th Century Death Mask

A final viewing of the deceased…
Death masks established a significant presence during Ancient Egypt, believed to enable the spirit to find their body in the afterlife. They also appear throughout African tribes, but with the intention of bringing the power of the deceased to the person wearing it.

Another use during the 18th and 19th Centuries was to document the faces of unknown bodies, prior to photographic technology solutions being available.

However, later, they became more significant as a way to remember the dead. Often used for people of power, or societal notability, the most famous ones include Dante, Mary Queen of Scots and Napoleon.

Dimensions: Height 30cm x Width 20cm x Depth 22cm.

Condition: sits straight to a flat surface, but has a few imperfections commensurate with the age of the item.

SOLD