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Ancient Egypt
Egyptian Funerary Masks
Funerary Masks
The Egyptians had several ways to make sure the ka
could recognize its own body. After the mummy was
wrapped, a funeral mask was fitted over the head and
shoulders. The face on the funeral masks resembled that
of the dead, so soul could identify the mummy as its own.
Funeral masks were made
out of solid gold (like King Tut's),
wood, or cartonnage (a material
similar to papier-mâché; sample
at right). Wooden and cartonnage
masks could be painted or gilded
with gold— the look of solid gold
at a fraction of the price!
Coffins
To ensure a mummy’s safety, an Egyptian embalmer
could place it in one or more coffins. The earliest coffins
were boxy and made of wood. Their decoration was
usually very plain… As time passed, the decoration
became more elaborate. Images of gods, hieroglyphs that
spelled out protective prayers, and pictures of amulets
covered almost every square inch of these coffins.
In later times, Egyptians began to make
anthropoid (or mummiform) coffins, which
means “human shaped.” Like funeral masks,
mummiform coffins had faces that resembled
the person inside for easy recognition. Many
of these were made of cartonnage because it
was cheap, light, and easy to work with.
Some were gilded with gold as well. These
coffins were heavily decorated with
hieroglyphs and pictures of gods and magic
symbols to protect the mummy on its way to
the afterlife.
Images typically found on a mummiform
coffins include: falcons, jackals, vultures,
winged suns, scarab beetles, lotus
blossoms, amulets (including shens, ankhs,
djeds, tets, and wedjats), hieroglyphs, bas,
and gods connected to the afterlife (such as
Osiris, Anubis, Isis, Nephthys, the four sons
of Horus, Thoth, and Nut).
The elaborate decoration on Nes-mut-aat-neru's
coffin fits her status as a member of the aristocracy.
Sarcophagus
Red granite; From Giza, Egypt;
5th Dynasty, 2494-2395 BC;
'Palace façade' panelling
For even more protection, some mummies were
placed in a sarcophagus. A sarcophagus is a large coffin
made of stone or gold. Sarcophagi were expensive, so
only pharaohs and queens, viziers, priests, and other
important and wealthy people were buried in them. Like
regular coffins, sarcophagi were either boxy or
mummiform.
Information retrieved January 12, 2010, from http://www.neferchichi.com/mum3.html
Sarcophagus of Hapmen
Found in Cairo, Egypt
26th Dynasty or later, 600-300 BC
Also known as the 'Lover's fountain'
Sarcophagus of Merymose
From Thebes, Egypt;
18th Dynasty, around 1350 BC;
The viceroy of Nubia in the reign of Amenhotep III
Lid of Sarcophagus of Setjau
Granite; from Thebes, Egypt;
19th Dynasty, around 1230 BC;
Viceroy of Nubia in the reign of Ramesses
Coffin and mummy of the lady
Djedmaatesankh;
Cartonnage; moulded linen; plaster; paint; gold leaf;
inscribed; painted; Centimetres: 27.95 (height), 134.7
(length), 38.1 (width)945-715 BC; Late Period; 22nd Dynasty;
Area of Origin: Deir el-Bahri; Egypt
Mummy cover
-wood, painted and gilded; 21st Dynasty;
Area of Origin: Egypt; Africa; Area of Use: Africa
Egyptian Funerary Masks
1. Sketch some ideas. Decide on a basic shape or plan
for your Egyptian-style mask.
2. Draw the mask shape on a large sheet of cardboard.
Plan space for the plastic facial form.
3. Carefully cut out your cardboard shape for the mask.
4. Watch the “DEMO” on how to cut a whole in the
middle of your cardboard to insert the plastic facial
form.
5. Use masking tape to hold the facial form in place.
6. Print your name on the back with a Sharpie marker.
7. Add any raised shapes or details using small pieces
of cardboard and white glue or masking tape.
8. All done? Start tearing small strips and pieces of
newspaper and store them in a baggie so you are
ready to start papier-mâché next time!