Customary to the Egyptian funerary tradition,
a
mask is created to cover the face of the
deceased and replaces the mutilated visage
of
the mummified corpse in the eternal life. This
particular Roman Period plaster funerary
mask is
striking in its vibrant and well-preserved
hues.
The woman appears to be wearing a
decorative
headdress embellished with rosette-like
figures,
which resemble jewelry. The turquoise base
of the
headdress envelops the woman’s hair in
twisted
braids. One also views her elaborate coiffure
modeled in relief, which attests to the
Roman
influence upon an ancient Egyptian tradition.
This
seemingly young woman gazes at us with
her
large, almond-shaped eyes beautifully
outlined in
black by kohl, a popular cosmetic practice.
The
grayish eye shadow and black mascara
enhance
the size of the woman’s eyes. With lips
reddened
to match the color of the rosettes on her
headdress, her mouth is cracked open to
reveal a
possible intention to initiate conversation.
Does
this woman have something to say? The
woman’s
stare leaves an everlasting impression on us
and
ignites our imaginations even more to further
understand her role and function during the
Egypto-Roman period.
- (LO.1312)
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