Funerary Masks

Room 10, Vitrine 128

Metal
Peruvian Northern Coast
1 AD – 1300 AD
ML100187, ML100822- ML100824

Funerary masks formed an important element in the burial of the leaders of ancient Peruvian societies. Masks were important symbols of the identity of the deceased, who would be transformed into the image depicted.

Masks were decorated with inlaid seashells or painted with the red pigment known as cinnabar (mercury sulfate).

Copper Mochica funerary mask representing the god Ai Apaec; gilded copper Huari funerary masks.