Object Of The Day #1
Ashante K. Charles
Monday, September 17th, 2018
Chapter One: Prehistoric Art
The Gold-Adorned Face Mask
The name of my chosen object is the Gold-Adorned Face Mask, founded and displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Bulgaria.
This ancient mask is believed to be from the Neolithic era of the Stone Age, where the development of Metallurgy surfaced. This object encompasses gold adornments which are visible on the surface of the mask. These ornaments all have a unique form and vary in size and structure. The mask which was formed with a clay called terra cotta, also known as “baked-earth,” comprises an uneven surface that contrasts with the solid and smooth embellishments. Although this object is a supposed mask, it appears to be larger than an average person’s face. Based on the artifacts history, this mask and likely many others were discovered in graves as a traditional burial placement to each corpse. The mask along with its unique decor is significant in conveying their importance and represented as a status symbol of the individual who had passed away. Beyond the characteristics and background of this object, Metallurgy (“technology concerned with the properties of metals and their production and purification.”) introduced the practice of decor on materials, gold known to be the most prestigious among other minerals even before prehistoric times, which inspired the creation of this artifact. In this time gold never ceases to be one of the most superior treasures in history, gold has made an influence through its qualities; and its use has evolved since, being versatile in its form it has made an impact in many industries medically and technologically.
This artifact intrigues me mostly because of the gold ornaments, the color is captivating against the dull earth material and carvings on the surface. Despite other unique artifacts that were analyzed in the Paleolithic and Neolithic period, this particular object has its own distinctive feature. Usually, masks contain dimensions that take the form of a person’s face and space for the physical features to be worn, interestingly without the name of this object it would have been difficult to identify. A mask is defined as “a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or to amuse or terrify other people,” though in this context it is indicated as a replacement of the corpse. Most of the objects were to be utilized for some purpose, made of stone/metal, containing engravings and colors for illustration, however, they did not hold any sort of adornment.
Overall, from contemplating on the Gold-Adorned Face Mask, based on the materials that the artifact embodies and the historical background along with its appealing features, to my curiosity I have several questions that have been prompted by this object. I am interested in understanding the possible owner of this renowned mask of Bulgaria. How prominent was this individual to be represented with an adorned mask rather than a simple tombstone or burial? What were these individuals statuses in the Neolithic era and how many other masks were found in Bulgaria? What does every single piece of gold on the surface of this artifact symbolize to the people of that particular individual or who they are in that community or society? Lastly, how were they placed on the stone?
