The artifact is a funerary mask, often referred to as the 'Mask of Agamemnon', made from a single sheet of beaten gold. The mask measures 25 centimeters in height and 20 centimeters in width, with an oval shape depicting a life-sized male face. The figure is bearded, with meticulously rendered mustache and long hair, indicating a person of significant standing.
The mask demonstrates meticulous details like well-defined ears and realistically drawn eyes, adding a life-like quality to its calm expression. The high level of craftsmanship displayed suggests the subject's significant societal standing, prompting theories about the subject potentially symbolizing Agamemnon, the Mycenaean king.
The artifact was unearthed in a burial shaft, Grave Circle A, at Mycenae, an archaeological site in Peloponnese, Greece by Heinrich Schliemann in 1876. Although the mask is associated with Agamemnon, this identification is largely a matter of conjecture, as the artifact predates Agamemnon's hypothetical reign by several hundred years. The mask originates from the late Bronze Age, circa 1550–1500 BC.
The primary function of the mask was to cover the deceased's face for burial. Such masks are generally indicative of high societal status. Despite Heinrich Schliemann's premature identification of the mask, it remains a notable example of the Mycenaean metalwork. The elaborate detailing exhibits the artisan's skill, and its presence signifies the funerary practices and affluence of the Mycenaean society during the Bronze Age.
