Late Dynastic Period, Ca. 664-332 BC. Late Dynastic Period, Ca. 664-32 BC. A carved sarcophagus mask formed from a finely-grained cedar wood. The countenance presents with bulging almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose with flared nostrils, full lips with slightly indented corners, a rounded chin, and smooth cheeks, all beneath a wide headdress that sits low on the forehead. Remains of the original dowel holes can be seen on the reverse. These masks were stylised and idealised portraits of the deceased individual and served an elaborate and important role in Egyptian funerary ritual as they protected the deceased’s face and head in their travels to the underworld, and in some cases helped to elevate the deceased to a god-like status through adoptions of godly attributes such as blue or gold skin. Cf. Christie's, Live Auction 5488, Antiquities, 7 October 2010, Lot 328.Size: L:250mm / W:135mm ; 420gProvenance: Property of a London Ancient Art gallery, formerly acquired in Monaco.