Gold death masks and breastplates

National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Gold foil
Date range: 16th century BC
Origin: Grave V, Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece

The gold masks were placed over the faces of deceased men. Their repoussé features and ear holes suggest they were tied in place, symbolizing honor and preservation of identity in the afterlife.

The breastplates are decorated with spirals and raised circles marking the nipples. These resemble Egyptian burial practices and may have signified divine protection or heroic status.

The gold necklace consists of ten foils shaped like antithetic eagles, a symbol of power and authority. It likely adorned the chest of a high-ranking individual during burial.

Museum label reference: 

Finds from Grave V, Grave Circle A, Mycenae. 16th century BC

1 | Gold death-mask, known as the 'mask of Agamemnon'. This mask depicts the imposing face of a bearded man. It is made of a gold sheet with repoussé details. Two holes near the ears indicate that the mask was held in place over the deceased’s face with twine (624)

3–4 | Gold funerary breastplates. The larger one is decorated with repoussé spirals. Two repoussé circles indicate the nipples. These breastplates are reminiscent of the luxurious Pharaonic Egyptian burials, where the mummified bodies were covered entirely with gold (626, 625)

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Supplementary images:

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Gold funerary masks, breastplates, and necklace from Grave V, Mycenae

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Source:  Athens, Greece