How to Make Egyptian Burial Masks

Decorate your finished Egyptian mask with gold and blue paint.

King Tutankhamun was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. His mummy wore a large golden burial mask, which has become a famous symbol of Egyptology. You can create a replica of this burial mask or another pharoah's mask using paper mache, posterboard and a plastic face mask. This mask may be worn or displayed. It is also suitable as a craft project for children. This mask takes several days to prepare due to the paper mache.

Things You'll Need

• Tray or bowl
• Newspaper
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups water
• Plastic face mask
• White posterboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Paint: gold, blue, silver, black
• Elastic or string (optional)

Instructions

1. Set the plastic face mask in the center of the sheet of white posterboard and draw around it, creating an oval shape. Using an Egyptian burial mask as a guide, draw the headdress shape around the oval mask center.

2. Cut out the headdress shape from the poster board. Pierce the center of the mask area and cut out the mask area.

3. Tape the plastic face mask over the oval mask area.

4. Mix the 2 cups flour and 2 cups water in a tray or large bowl until the lumps are gone. Tear the newspaper into long strips about 2 inches wide.

5. Drag the newspaper strips through the paper mache mixture and cover the mask and headdress. Cover the entire surface with one coat. Let dry completely, which is about 24 hours. Cover the headdress again with a second layer and let dry.

6. Locate the eye area and poke a hole through. Cut out the eye holes.

7. Paint the mask with gold, blue, silver and black paints. Use a photo of the Tutankhamun mask or another pharoah burial mask as a guide. Let the paint dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Poke holes in the sides of the mask and thread string or elastic through to wear the mask.

References

• King Tut: Egyptian Masks
• Art-Rageous: Mummy Mask