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Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
The Howard Carter Archives
Photographs by Harry Burton
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Carter No.: 256a

Handlist description: Gold mask of the King

Card/Transcription No.: 256a-2


256A. Gold Mask of the King. 2

Mace and Winlock Tomb of Senebtisi p 43, fig 26; Lacau Sarcophages No 28087, 64, plate LIV 487, etc) which is striated with bands of lapis lazuli-coloured glass radiating from the lower part of the back of the headdress. The headdress terminates at the back in a kind of pigtail which falls between the shoulder blades and which was inlaid with lapis lazuli-coloured glass horizontal bands. On the front the two flaps of the headdress are represented falling from the shoulders over the chest. Upon the forehead above band are the royal insignia: - on the right side the Nekhbet vulture head of massive gold, beak of horn-coloured glass, eyes missing (? of obsidian). Note: right side = north side as the mask lay in the sarcophagus. On the left side the uraeus (Uazet of Buto), head dark blue faience, eyes of gold cloisonné inlaid with translucent quartz substitute for carnelian (having backing of red pigment to enhance colour), pupils of dark brown ?material (probably also pigment), front of

Card no. 256a-2 relating to Carter no. 256a
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Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
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