This funerary mask was discovered by Howard Carter in 1925 in the Valley of the Kings. The mask was discovered in the Tomb of 18th dynasty Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun who reigned from 1334-1325 BC.

Carter wrote of the moment it was discovered:

“The pins removed, the lid was raised.

The penultimate scene was disclosed – a very neatly wrapped mummy of the young king, with golden mask of sad but tranquil expression, symbolizing Osiris … the mask bears that god’s attributes, but the likeness is that of Tut.Ankh.Amen – placid and beautiful, with the same features as we find upon his statues and coffins. The mask has fallen slightly back, thus its gaze is straight up to the heavens.”

The mask is 54cm tall, 39 cm wide and 49cm deep. It weighs over 10 kilograms and is made from two layers of high-karat gold as well as copper, coloured glᴀss and gemstones.

Egyptian Museum, Cairo