Plaster Death Mask

Front view of the plaster death mask - removed non-original yellow ochre pigment applied previously to unify the surface. Visible loses to original surface coating and exposed restored area on the right side of the figure's face. Colour and scale reference card included.

Identification

  • Object Type: Death mask
  • Date: 1820’s-1830’s
  • Origin: English, Scottish, or French
  • Owner: The McManus Museum, Dundee
  • Maker: Unknown
  • Measurements: 
  • Materials: Plaster, shellac-based varnish

Summary

The object is hollow with an opening on the bottom, underneath the stand. Running cracks (consolidated) mark the mask on the front (mouth and chin area) and at the back (across the back panel). The scientific examination revealed that the object contains a high content of toxic substances arsenic (As) and lead (Pb).

This death mask was likely cast post-mortem to preserve the likeness and features of a recently deceased person. As a part of the phrenology collection, it would serve as a learning aid for the students and teachers of the pseudoscience – phrenology, which involves looking at the shape of one’s skull to determine their character traits. The study was deemed as pseudoscience in 1843 after the peak of its popularity between 1810-1840. 

The plaster statue had signs of previous restoration, with the right side of the face and back of the stand fully reconstructed and painted dark yellow to match the original. Before conservation treatment, the object was at risk of breaking (cracked plaster body). Its surface coating was uneven and damaged, covered in dust and soot residue. 

The conservation process focused mostly on the scientific research of the original surface coating. Once established, the plaster death mask was consolidated for stability, cleaned and retouched to bring back the features of the face.   

Behind the Scenes

Collage of four photographs of plaster death mask before conservation treatment. Pictures of the object from the front, back and both profiles, all with colour and scale reference card.
Collage of death mask before conservation treatment.
Front view of the plaster death mask - before and after showcase of surface cleaning. Object is marked with a vertical line in the middle created by the cleaned side - brighter orange-yellow, uniform surface contrasted with uncleaned side - darker and patchier. Colour and scale reference card included.
Death mask before and after showcase of surface cleaning.
Front view of the plaster death mask - removed non-original yellow ochre pigment applied previously to unify the surface. Visible loses to original surface coating and exposed restored area on the right side of the figure's face. Colour and scale reference card included.
Removed non-original yellow ochre pigment applied previously to unify the surface.

The conservator who treated this object is Monika, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

Monika, a white woman in her early 20s with long wavy blond hair. She is sitting at an angle to the camera, with a wide smile, wearing a black hooded jumper. She is resting her hands on her knee. The photo is in black and white.

Related Objects

Click on the image to learn more.

Phrenology Collection

Grey/brown plaster death mask of Oliver Cromwell with some patches of missing paint, facing the camera. Scale located to the right of the face.
Death Mask of Oliver Cromwell
Front view of human skull cast prior to conservation. White bloom can be seen over the surface of cast, and the surface is discoloured to a dark brown colour. The skull sits next to a paper scale.
Plaster Cast Skull
(Front view) Object prior to conservation treatment. Plaster cast bust of a girl with phrenological markings on the side of the cranial (on the right side of the image). The surface is painted a dark yellow brown, some of the white plaster is visible in areas of damage. Paper label attached with string around the neck reading “Dr Elliotson’s Daughters”.
Phrenology Bust of a Girl