RARE PLASTER DEATH MASK

Rare plaster death mask depicting the face of an adult man captured in the stillness of death. The eyes are closed, the features relaxed and the mouth shut, while a short moustache is precisely rendered above the upper lip.

The face displays a particularly realistic character: the eyelids, wrinkles around the eyes, modelling of the nose, lips and contours of the cheeks are reproduced with remarkable restraint and accuracy. The absence of idealization, together with certain surface details, gives the piece the characteristic appearance of an impression taken directly from the face of the deceased or of a cast made from a funerary mould.

The mask is made of plaster and retains an old ivory-white patina, with traces, minor wear and surface irregularities consistent with its age. The sides were deliberately left unfinished, further emphasizing its character as a cast.

The reverse is entirely hollow, revealing the structure of the casting, and retains an old metal suspension ring allowing the mask to be displayed on a wall.

Death masks were made to preserve an accurate impression of the facial features of the deceased. They could serve as memorial objects or study documents, or be used as models by artists for the creation of portraits, busts and funerary monuments. Their use was particularly widespread during the 19th century and continued into the early 20th century.

Unidentified individual.

Good antique condition.
Original old surface finish preserved, with wear and flaking, particularly at the tip of the nose.
Original suspension system on the reverse.

PERIOD: LATE 19TH – EARLY 20TH CENTURY
DIMENSIONS: 20 cm
SIZE: 7.9"