wotdahelldat
Ever fancied having an array of masks lined up in a row in a special room in your house?
Each mask has its eyes closed and very different expressions on their faces. Some are copies of original death masks but some may be the real thing.
Will it freak you out?
For many, it would but believe it or not there are collectors who spend a fortune on collecting death masks. These masks made of plaster or wax create a morbid fascination for a percentage of humans.
The plaster or wax is placed over the face of the deceased and made into a mold. Some of the earliest death masks are from Egypt and were used in mummification. The mask is buried with the body but some are brought to the surface and restored or copied.
The history goes back for years and in Europe; the masks were used as effigies at state funerals. These death masks are not to be confused with Life Masks where the person is alive when the mold is taken.
Tutankhamun’s mask is one of the first ever death masks but more appealing to the eye and less creepy than many of those that followed many years later.
Even stranger is the price of these death masks. It’s not unusual for them to fetch up to $600 to $800 or more for one of these creepy objects. There are some fetching prices like this on eBay and other auction sites.
At the end of the day, an item is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay for it. With regards to death masks, there is obviously a demand because the prices are quite high. It must be that morbid nature that is in us all?
So if you fancy splashing out on expensive masks of dead people and you have the budget then happy shopping. You never know one of them may be someone famous and could rise in value and fetch a small fortune. So next time you are thinking of collecting death masks, remember they could increase in value many years later.
