Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. An ever watchful pair of ancient bronze and marble or possibly alabaster eyes and bronze eyebrows, the alluring bronze eye rims with extended cosmetic lines, elongated canthi, and heavy lids, inlaid with marble/alabaster sclera displaying black-painted irises. Eyes like these were placed onto wooden mummy masks before burial to allow the soul to 'see' during its journey to the afterlife. Size: slightly larger eye measures 3" W x 1.25" H (7.6 cm x 3.2 cm); slightly larger brow 3" L (7.6 cm); the pair as displayed 6.5" W x 2.125" H (16.5 cm x 5.4 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.
Ancient Egyptians believed it was of the utmost importance to preserve a body of the deceased, because the soul needed a place to reside after the death. Preservation of the body was done via mummification - a process involving the removal of internal organs that were placed in canopic jars, wrapping the body in linen, and then embalming. The death masks that eyes like these would have adorned were created so that the soul could recognize the body and return to it. For this reason, death masks were made in the likeness of the deceased. The eyes were of course believed to allow the deceased to see following death.
Provenance: private Honolulu, Hawaii, USA collection
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#149070
Condition
Tiny nicks and fissures to the bronze elements that are difficult to see. Bronze elements have developed a beautiful encrusted patina of blue and green hues. Normal age wear with scratches to stone components.