The death mask of Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, has sold at auction for AUD 235,000 ($180,000) to an unknown buyer. The plaster cast of Kelly’s face was made after he was executed in 1880 at the age of 25 for his part in a series of robberies. After his death, Kelly was made a folk hero by many in Australia and the mask is now regarded as a unique historical artifact.

Ledgendary Bushranger Ned Kelly’s Death Mask Sells for Huge Sum at Auction

Ned Kelly was an Australian bushranger who has been the subject of countless books, movies, and other forms of media over the years. He is perhaps one of the most well-known figures in Australian history, and his story has fascinated people all around the world for generations. Recently, a death mask that was believed to have been made in the aftermath of Kelly’s execution has sold for a huge sum of money at auction.

The Story of Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly was born in 1855 in Victoria, Australia. He came from a poor family, and as a young man, he became involved in criminal activities. In 1878, Kelly and his gang robbed a bank in the town of Euroa, and they later went on to rob a train at a place called Glenrowan.

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Kelly and his gang fought fiercely against the authorities. However, they were eventually captured, and Kelly was sentenced to death by hanging. He was executed in November 1880, at the age of just 25.

The Death Mask

After Kelly’s execution, a plaster cast was made of his face. This was a common practice at the time, as it was believed that the shape of a person’s face could reveal something about their character or personality. The death mask was then used as a tool for phrenologists, who believed that studying the shape of a person’s skull could reveal information about their mental characteristics.

The death mask of Ned Kelly, which was believed to have been made by a prison artist named Max Kreitmayer, has been in private hands for many years. Recently, it was put up for auction by a private collector, and it sold for a huge sum of money.

The Value of the Death Mask

The death mask of Ned Kelly sold for $235,000 AUD, which is approximately $180,000 USD. This is a huge sum of money, especially considering that the mask is just a plaster cast of Kelly’s face. However, the mask is a unique historical artifact, and it gives us an insight into the life and death of one of Australia’s most well-known figures.

The buyer of the mask is not known, and it is unclear what their intentions are for the artifact. However, it is likely that the mask will be held in a private collection, as it is not clear whether it would be suitable for display in a public museum.

FAQs

What is a death mask?

A death mask is a plaster or wax cast made of a person’s face after they have died. The practice of making death masks was once quite common, and they were often used as tools for phrenologists or as historical artifacts.

Why is Ned Kelly famous?

Ned Kelly is one of the most well-known figures in Australian history. He was a bushranger who lived in the late 19th century, and he became famous for his daring robberies and his fierce resistance against the authorities. Kelly and his gang fought against the police for many years, and their exploits have been the subject of countless books, movies, and other forms of media over the years.

How much did the death mask of Ned Kelly sell for?

The death mask of Ned Kelly sold for $235,000 AUD, which is approximately $180,000 USD.

Who bought the death mask?

The buyer of the death mask is not known, and it is unclear what their intentions are for the artifact.

Will the death mask be displayed in a public museum?

It is not clear whether the death mask of Ned Kelly would be suitable for display in a public museum. However, it is likely that it will be held in a private collection.

Why is the death mask of Ned Kelly significant?

The death mask of Ned Kelly is a unique historical artifact that gives us an insight into the life and death of one of Australia’s most well-known figures. It is a tangible connection to a time and place that is long gone, and it helps to keep the memory of Ned Kelly alive for generations to come.