User:Casperson82/sandbox

Overview
Object # 53-20-1A is a funerary or mummy mask, recently witnessed located at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Detailed information is rather scarce of this object although by examining the physical characteristics and utilizing some Ancient Egyptian history in comparison to King Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus one can develop a significant background of this mask. The Ptolemaic or Roman Period which the early date of the mask’s commission is 300 bce and the late date is 250 bce. This time frame is ultimately known as the Greco-Roman period which started about two hundred years after this Object # 53-20-1A was constructed at 500 bce after the last dynasties ruled Egypt. The Mask’s size stands 52.1 centimeters tall, and 25.4 centimeters wide, with a depth totaling in a 30.5 cm which is basically equivalent to a average size head. Searching for Ancient Egypt: Art, Architecture and Acts from the University of Pennsylvania Museum. : Page/Fig./Plate: 270-71/91 King Tut’s sarcophagus located in Thebes has some similar features which is a great indicator that Object # 53-20-1A shares the same point of origin(Silverman). Object # 53-20-1A sarcophagus or coffin which would be from the neck down is not on display, and the location is not listed. Generally speaking this is where the hieroglyphics and other body decorations would be found on the coffin, as seen on King Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus(Kleiner).

Details-Social Class/ Design
The intriguing presentation of Object # 53-20-1A stands out from the rest in the Ancient Egyptian section on the third floor at University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Encased behind thick glass, Object # 53-20-1A’ s thin layer of gold exterior makes this mask a attractive when walking the third floor(Silverman). The medium consists of cartonnage which is a paper mache like, mixture of linen and gesso or white paint/plaster accompanied by papyrus, which makes up the first layer applied to the skin with a not so smooth texture as the gesso hardens fast and is coarse((Silverman). A chair sits next to this exhibit with staff seated there as Object # 53-20-1A is a unique find.  Most cases Funerary masks are made for middle and upper class patrons  although toward the end of ancient Egyptian times the masks where found more commonly on a wider variety of patron such as lower class(Kleiner).  The Mask’s size stands 52.1 centimeters tall, and 25.4 centimeters wide, with a depth totaling in a 30.5 cm which is basically equivalent to an average size head(Silverman).

Details-Expression
Object # 53-20-1A has a slightly more welcoming look, presents a gilded face meaning the deceased body lives with the gods in the afterlife(Silverman). King Tutankhamen’s who brings forth a more masculine and confident teenage boy image. Object # 53-20-1A gives the viewer the impression that the patron which is the one behind the mask was approximately 20 years old like King Tutankhamen’s at his time of death(Kleiner). Guessing, I would have to say this was a female, as

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Object # 53-20-1A does not have a beard. Object # 53-20-1A's family may have commissioned this mask. This mask is said to be in the last period of mummification as initial development of anthropoid coffin, which is used today(Silverman). Symbolism ===== The outside covered in a thin layer of gold symbolizing that the owner had skin and bones of gold resembling a god like character(Silverman). The outside of the headdress or wig, contains gold strips and lapis lazuli which is a precious stone found predominately in Egypt and south East Asia on both Tut and Object # 53-20-1A(Silverman/Kleiner). Under the tips of the wig which lie in front of the shoulder are a beaded collar which appears to be painted cartonnage with a design of red then blue strips forming diamonds in an argyle pattern(Silverman). The sternum design resembles the binding of an old book or bible, with separated sections of embossed dot designs, each level having equivalent amount of dots. This design may not mean anything but by really peering into the ingenuity of the design you get the feeling that this design is of meaning and does in fact tell a story or message. These precious materials are engineered to specification of the cartonnage to mold the true appearance of the patron which is truly astonishing being without modern technology to form such a sculpture. There are many differences between the two which mostly comes down to one topic, inequality. Before these two beings soul’s entered the afterlife King Tutankhamen was a ruling pharaoh and Object # 53-20-1A is suspected to be a noble citizen(Keiner). Even though King Tutankhamen’s was present one thousand years prior to Object # 53-20-1A the quality of work seen in King Tutankhamen’s funerary mask is without hesitation much more costly then Object # 53-20-1A’s mask(Silverman/Kleiner). High karat gold is found with King Tutankhamen’s mask, unlike Object # 53-20-1A’s which is not disclosed on the item tag(Silverman/Kleiner). Object # 53-20-1A did not leave much of a paper trail although, King Tutankhamen’s tomb at Thebes is one of the most significantly vast findings that has majorly expanded modern anthropology(Kliener).

Book] Silverman, David P. 1997. Searching for Ancient Egypt: Art, Architecture and Acts from the University of Pennsylvania Museum. : Page/Fig./Plate: 270-71/91