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A rare, important and well provenanced Ancient Phoenician Burnished Terracotta Mask from the Levant, dating to approximately 800 BC.
The imposing, almost grotesque features of this anthropomorphic mask bear a similarity with other, Canaanite masks found in the Holy Land. The depiction is one of a stylised human, shown with ridged and incised eyebrows, prominent nose, rudimentary ears, slit-mouth and green-glass eyes. His nostrils are drilled, as are his ears.
Masks such as this are extremely rare and a similar example has not surfaced on the art market in recent times. The use of such masks in antiquity is mysterious - it is however probable that this piece served a votive function, being dedicated to a God in thanks for, or in anticipation of, a favour.
Height of mask: 7 inches.
Width: 6 1/2 inches.
Depth: 3 1/4 inches.
Condition: Exceptional. Unrestored. Small chips to the ear, corner of mouth and back of the mask. Mounted on an old wooden stand.
Provenance: Ex Collection of Eminent Archaeologist, Felix de Saulcy (1807-1880). Joseph Louis Félicien Caignart de Saulcy is often referred to as the father of Biblical Archaeology and was a powerful figure of his day, befriending Napoleon III (first president of the French Republic) and Princess Mathilde.
Saulcy was born in Lille in 1807 to a noble family. He received education in entomology, natural sciences and numismatics from a young age. Through a complex path he eventually became interested in Middle Eastern Languages and then in the History of the Holy Land - an interest that would later define his career.
From the 1850's onwards de Saulcy visited and excavated several sites throughout Palestine, the Lebanon and Syria. His most famous excavations were at the Tomb of the Kings, north Jerusalem, where he (incorrectly) identified the tombs of David and Solomon. In spite of this error, de Saulcy was the first western archaeologist to bring public attention to the historical riches of the Levant. The publication of his travels, titled 'Voyage autour de la Mer morte et dans les Terres Biblique' (travels around the Dead Sea and Biblical lands) was met with with shock and disbelief by his colleagues, who had no idea of the archaeological wealth of the region.
Saulcy was particularly interested in Phoenician history, publishing 'De l'histoire et de l'état actuel des études Phéniciennes' in 1846. It is not surprising that Saulcy acquired this important mask, which he may well have excavated himself, when one considers his learned interest in Phoenician history and his many days spent in the Ancient Lands of the Phoenicians.
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