Was the mask of TUTANKHAMUN a DEATH MASK?

Answer 1

It was a death mask of sorts. Not a life like representation necessarily, but a stylised likeness of the king.

There has been some conjecture that Tutankhamun's sarcophagus and some of his grave goods were actually made for someone else, as Tut died young and rather unexpectedly.

Answer 2

No. A "death mask" is a "wax or plaster cast of a mold taken from a dead face." By contrast, the Tutankhamun artifact was crafted, rather than molded. Although it is indeed sometimes called a "death mask" it is more properly called a "funeral mask," that is, a stylized representation of a person designed, in Tut's case, as a protective ornament.

Answer 3

What do you mean by a death mask?


Tutankhamon Mask:

Identity: Tutankhamon, King
Material: Obsidian, Gold, Turquoise, Glass,
Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli
Period: New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty

Dimensions:
Height: 54 cm
Width: 39.3 cm
Weight: 11 kg

This marvelous, life size mask, of excellent workmanship, protected the head of Tutankhamon's mummy. His shoulders and the back of his mask are inscribed with a magic formula that ensures protection. The golden nemes headdress is striped in blue and green while the uraeus and vulture head, in gold inlaid with semi-precious stones and colored glass, ornament the brow.

The mask's eyes are made of obsidian and quartz with a touch of red at the corners. The divine beard, is made of cloisonné work. The ears are pierced for the wearing of earrings. The wide necklace collar is formed of rows of lapis lazuli, quartz, amazonite and colored glass beads attached at each shoulder to a gold falcon's head ornamented with obsidian.

Answer 4

How is this marvelous mask made? What technique(s) did they use back then crafting such an impressive artifact?

Answer 5

yup. he wore it posthumously