The History of Funeral Masks: From Ancient Rituals to Art Objects

Funeral masks, Fascinating artifacts that immortalize the faces of the dead, boast a history that is intertwined with magical rites, religious beliefs and artistic expressions.

The origins of the Funeral Masks

The first attestations date back to the Ancient Egypt, where masks made of gold, lapis lazuli and other precious materials They were placed on the faces of pharaohs and other high-ranking people to accompany their journey to the afterlife. The mask was seen as a kind of of a "secondary soul" that protected the deceased and guaranteed The rebirth.

In later times, the use of Death masks spread to different cultures, taking various forms and Meanings. In ancient Greece and Rome, plaster or terracotta masks They were used to create realistic portraits of the deceased, preserving the memory of their physical appearance. In Europe, on the other hand, during the Middle Ages and the During the Renaissance, funeral masks became true works of art, made of bronze, marble and even wax, often decorated with ornaments and religious symbols.

Funeral masks in modernity

With the advent of new The use of death masks gradually decreased. However, they continued to be used in some contexts, such as e.g. for the creation of plaster casts for funerary monuments or for the identification of persons who have died in tragic circumstances.

Today, death masks are considered objects of art of great historical and cultural value, preserved in museums and private collections. They give us an insight into different cultures and beliefs of the past, allowing us to get to know the faces and stories of those who preceded.