The love of masks is one of the striking similarities across global cultures. In this gallery of images, we showcase 25 masks from world history. Very often made with precious materials such as gold, jade and turquoise, these finely-crafted objects were designed for ritual or burial use and give us the opportunity to see not only the skills of ancient artists but also a glimpse into the beliefs, customs and even the real faces of people who lived long ago.
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Face from an Egyptian Coffin
A face of a woman fragment from an Egyptian coffin. New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII-XX, 1550-1070 BCE. (Egyptian Museum, Turin)