Ancient Egypt - Carved polychrome female funerary mask Late period, c. 660-335 BC A female funerary mask, finely carved in high-quality hardwood, depicting an idealised face of harmonious proportions, characteristic of the Late Period style. The piece features a large headdress decorated with horizontal bands, with dotted red decorative elements still visible. The face features a serene smile, eyes wide open, with eyelids and eyebrows finely drawn in black. Height: 27 cm Weight: 1.22 kg A quality work, painted with an ochre base, retaining much of its original polychrome. In good condition, well proportioned and aesthetically pleasing. There are a few chips, abrasions and paint losses; chipping and discolouration of the painted plaster, but good preservation of the remaining pigments. On the reverse, there are four peg holes for attaching the mask to a coffin or wooden sarcophagus. This is an important funerary object from a culture where preservation of the body and its realistic representation were essential to ensure the identity of the deceased in the afterlife. This mask has been carefully crafted to reflect the features of the deceased and form a lasting portrait in the afterlife. Provenance: Acquired from an antique dealer in Bern; held in a private collection in Geneva for three generations.