The Gold Mummy Mask of General and High Priest Wendjebauendjed hails from the Royal Necropolis of Tanis, one of the four intact ancient Egyptian tombs discovered by Pierre Montet in 1940 and 1946.
This mask presents an idealized portrayal of General Wen-djedbau-en-djed in his youth, bearing a tranquil expression softened by a gentle smile. It envelops the face, neck, and ears, terminating at the forehead where six small-perforated tongues secure it to the mummy’s head.
The eyes, crafted from variously colored glass paste, are intricately inlaid. The nose exhibits impeccable symmetry, while the lips are slender and plump. Notably, the ears display asymmetry, with the left protruding further than the right.
Wendjebauendjed’s countenance was veiled by a golden mummy mask, accompanied by an assortment of jewelry items discovered within the sarcophagus, including pectorals, rings, bracelets, and gold statuettes. Of particular note are three exquisite bowls fashioned from gold and silver, as well as a lapis lazuli statuette depicting Amun in his ram form.
Adjacent to the sarcophagus lay numerous ushabtis and Wendjebauendjed’s four canopic jars. Presently, all funerary artifacts reside within the Cairo Museum, serving as enduring testaments to an ancient legacy.
The moniker “Wendjebauendjed” translates to “the one who endures and is stable.”
General Wendjebauendjed did not hail from royal lineage but held esteemed roles as a high priest of Khonsu and Chief of the King’s Archers. Additionally, he bore the prestigious title of Superior of the Prophets-of-all-Gods, akin to the Minister of Cults, bestowed upon him by King Psusennes I.
Of particular interest is his title as ‘Unique-in-the-praise-of-the-greats,’ tasked with presenting accolades to individuals during royal ceremonies. This general, serving under one of the initial monarchs of the 21st Dynasty, enjoyed the honor of being laid to rest in close proximity to the sovereign he faithfully served.
