Plaster mask of Saint Alfonso de Juquara Mato, Europe, 1860-1920

Plaster mask of St. Alfonso de Juquara Mato, a cast possibly of his death mask(?), Italian(?), 1860-1920

St Alfonso de Juquara Mato was a Spanish bishop during the 600s. This is said to be a plaster cast of his original death mask. Death masks were created by covering the deceased person’s face with a substance such as plaster. Once hardened, this plaster cast was removed to provide the template to make the mask.

Death masks and life masks, made from a living subject, have been made in cultures worldwide throughout history. They were often made to honour important and influential people, and were popular in the 1900s.