Mummy with a Painted Mask Depicting a Woman Holding a Goblet

Unknown

A.D. 270–280 · Human remains, linen, plaster, paint, mummification material · Egyptian Art

This mummified body still includes the original linen wrappings and belongs to a woman whose name is unknown. The wrapping and cover of her mummy are representative of customs prevalent at the time of the last burials according to the Egyptian tradition. The woman's wreathed head rests upon a gold pillow. Her white tunic has broad black clavi (stripes), and she wears a mantle with greenish black orbiculi (circular ornaments), ornaments popular from the late third century. Numerous burials from the Roman Period were found in the forecourts of the temple of King Mentuhotep II (ca. 2061-2010BCE). The king's temple was no longer in use but the nearby temple of Hatshepsut served as a sanctuary to the Greek god Asklepios and the Egyptian deified sages Imhotep and Amenhotep, son of Hapu. Pilgrims would sleep there to seek magical healing of ailments, and a burial nearby would be considered beneficial to the deceased.

Artist

Unknown

Date

A.D. 270–280

Medium

Human remains, linen, plaster, paint, mummification material

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1925