Death Mask
Death mask of Thomas Dunham Whitaker FRS
![image_death_mask](http://library.chethams.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/10/image_death_mask.jpg)
A death mask is a wax or plaster cast of a person’s face taken after their death. The practice dates back to ancient Egyptian and Roman times, but became more common in the late eighteenth century as a means of recording variations in the human physiognomy.
This example records the features of Dr Thomas Dunham Whitaker, (1759-1821) a clergyman, topographer and published author and who wrote many books and articles, in particular his A History of the Original Parish of Whalley and the Honor of Clitheroe.