Head of a Leopard from a Ceremonial Dress

This leopard head once decorated a garment that imitated the animal's skin through the use of silver stars in place of spots. This representation can be traced to the ancient concept of the leopard as a symbolic representation of the sky. The leopard skin was a distinctive garment of the Sem priest who was charged with revitalizing the mummified body of the pharaoh in the ritual known as "Opening the Mouth."

Dimensions:  Height 13 cm