Coffins in ancient Egypt were often incomparable works of art. These stunning almond-shaped eyes are made of bronze and polished white and black stone, and come from Egypt’s Late Period, ca. 747-332 B.C.
Placing a face on a coffin or mummy mask connected the deceased with the divine afterlife and helped the ‘ba’ spirit recognise its body and returnto it each night after spending a carefree day in the sunshine.
These eyes are part of an exhibition at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, “Egypt: Land of Immortality”, showcasing how the ancient Egyptians prepared for the afterlife.
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