Ancient Egyptian Polychrome Wooden Sarcophagus Mask – Late Period, 26th–31st Dynasty, c. 664–332 BC

An exceptional ancient Egyptian wooden sarcophagus mask depicting an idealised female face, dating to the Late Period, c. 664–332 BC.

Hand carved from a single piece of timber over 2,300 years ago, the face retains substantial areas of its original painted surface, including white, red and black and blue pigments. These surviving details emphasise the remarkably human appearance.

The expressive female visage is defined by large almond-shaped eyes outlined in black pigment. Surviving pale pigment remains around the cheeks, cheekbones, mouth and inner portions of the eyes, while a partial red-painted detail survives across the brow. The upper portion of the mask, now largely bare wood with traces of dark blue pigmentation, is consistent with the representation of the wig, or hair.

Funerary masks from anthropoid coffins and sarcophagi such as this were created in an idealised likeness of the deceased, serving to preserve their identity and provide a recognisable image for the spirit in the afterlife so it could re-enter the body. The face, or “mask”, was carved separately and would have been pegged in place on the coffin during the manufacture process.

The rear of the mask retains seven attachment holes arranged in a U-shaped configuration, with surviving wooden dowel fragments in some apertures. This construction is consistent with the mask having originally been attached to the wooden coffin or sarcophagus.

The timber used in the construction of this specimen, along with the entire wooden anthropoid coffin/sarcophagus it belonged to, was most likely imported from Lebanon, as Egypt lacked large native trees suitable for construction. Trade is documented as early as the 4th Dynasty under King Sneferu (c. 2613-2589 BC), who recorded importing 40 shiploads of cedar wood from Lebanon.

Specimen Details

Specimen: Ancient Egyptian Polychrome Wooden Sarcophagus Mask 

Origin: Egypt, North Africa 

Date: Late Period, c. 664–332 BC

Material: Wood, most likely cedar, with original gesso and painted decoration 

Dimensions: 201mm height x 100mm width x 65mm deep (from tip of nose to flat back).

Display: Including display stand (images with stand coming soon)

Condition: Fine condition. No repairs or alterations. Areas of loss to the pigmented surface, yet the overall facial form remains intact. The rear of the mask retains seven original attachment holes, some with surviving wooden dowel fragments within. 

Provenance: Previously held within historic collections inside the United States of America. Formerly in the Carl R. collection, USA, 1990s.
Subsequently part of the Steve Vanguard inventory (Vanguard collectables), California, USA, throughout the 2000s. 
Ex Colby Abele, a prominent antiquities dealer based in Las Vegas, Nevada & Orange, California, USA, 2026.  
Acquired by Collectors’ Cabin, North West England, UK, Imported from USA, October 2026. Certificate of authenticity included. 

Comparable specimens (reference):

Accession number 52.55.73 - National Museums Liverpool, World Museum

Accession number 1973.1.649 - National Museums Liverpool, World Museum