Sarcophagus mask. Egypt, Late Period, 30th Dynasty, 380–343 B.C.

Sarcophagus mask. Egypt, Late Period, 30th Dynasty, 380–343 B.C.
Cedar wood, with traces of stucco and polychrome paint.
Provenance: acquired from Buchhandlung Herder, Freiburg, on March 6, 1976.
It exhibits losses, cracks, wear, and surface alterations, with partial preservation of the polychrome, consistent with its age.
Measurements: 28 x 21.5 x 12 cm.

This mask retains part of the polychrome that originally highlighted the facial features, particularly visible around the eyes and eyebrows. The modeling reflects the idealized image characteristic of Egyptian anthropomorphic sarcophagi: an oval face, almond-shaped eyes with sharply defined contours, a straight nose, and a small mouth, designed to give the deceased an enduring appearance within the funerary context.

The piece dates to the 30th Dynasty, the last dynasty of native Egyptian rulers before the Second Persian Domination, a period encompassing the reigns of Nectanebo I, Teos, and Nectanebo II. It was a period of intense revival of traditional artistic and religious models, as well as significant architectural and cultic activity. In anthropomorphic sarcophagi, the face could be crafted as a separate wooden element and subsequently attached to the rest of the lid—a construction method well documented in Egyptian funerary furniture.

The fragmentary state of preservation allows for a clear appreciation of both the carving work and the successive layers of preparation and color. Surface losses reveal the wood in various places, while the remains of stucco and pigment provide information about the originally polychrome appearance of this type of piece. The use of cedar wood is also documented in Egyptian sarcophagi and funerary objects, where it was valued for its structural qualities and durability.