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Doe And Hope
Tel07729 213013Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 7729 213013
Pair of 20thC Plaster Death Masks of African Men
The hugely interesting three quarter bust plaster casts incorporating the death-masks of two African males, possibly related, modeled in composition plaster, weathered and dis-coloured from the elements and in decorative condition.
The busts have condition issues but these only serve to give them a hugely decorative edge. They both have surface dis-colouration with lichen and moss forms having been placed outside at some point in time. As such there are green deposits to the whole and they are still a little damp to the cores. There is a section of loss to one shoulder to one of the busts with both busts having some casting markings, small losses and chips. Overall they remain in decent order if a little soft to the touch.
There is a possibility that these busts are life masks rather than those taken at death but the calmness and serenity that is so apparent here would suggest that life had probably passed, their memory being beautifully upheld. Please see our archive for a pair of life masks of African servants, which were 18thC, and were thus more animated. There are no signatures or marks to provide any further clues but in our experience of sourcing masks we believe these to probably be from the second quarter of the twentieth century.
Death masks are an impression or cast of the face of a deceased person, usually made by oiling the skin and taking a plaster cast of the features, and are the most haunting mementos of the deceased. They have been in existence since the time of Tutankhamun, whose solid gold burial mask is an object of extreme beauty and superstition. Such masks could be used either in a funerary effigy or as a model for a posthumous portrait. It was important that a death mask was made as soon as possible after death so that the character of the deceased was captured before the features started to fall.
Massively intriguing, achingly beautiful.
SellerDoe And Hope
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment only
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
The busts have condition issues but these only serve to give them a hugely decorative edge. They both have surface dis-colouration with lichen and moss forms having been placed outside at some point in time. As such there are green deposits to the whole and they are still a little damp to the cores. There is a section of loss to one shoulder to one of the busts with both busts having some casting markings, small losses and chips. Overall they remain in decent order if a little soft to the touch.
There is a possibility that these busts are life masks rather than those taken at death but the calmness and serenity that is so apparent here would suggest that life had probably passed, their memory being beautifully upheld. Please see our archive for a pair of life masks of African servants, which were 18thC, and were thus more animated. There are no signatures or marks to provide any further clues but in our experience of sourcing masks we believe these to probably be from the second quarter of the twentieth century.
Death masks are an impression or cast of the face of a deceased person, usually made by oiling the skin and taking a plaster cast of the features, and are the most haunting mementos of the deceased. They have been in existence since the time of Tutankhamun, whose solid gold burial mask is an object of extreme beauty and superstition. Such masks could be used either in a funerary effigy or as a model for a posthumous portrait. It was important that a death mask was made as soon as possible after death so that the character of the deceased was captured before the features started to fall.
Massively intriguing, achingly beautiful.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 23/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
Category Busts and Figures
Date c.1925-55
1930s Antiques Material Plaster
Origin English
Item code as155a1392
Status Sold
£1280.00 
$1602.43 
€1542.02 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 23/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment onlyThe Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
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