Final answer:
The ancient Egyptian mask placed on a pharaoh's body after death is known as the death mask, with the death mask of Tutankhamun being the most renowned example.
Step-by-step explanation:
The name of the mask that was used in ancient Egypt when a pharaoh dies and is placed on their body is known as the death mask. The most famous of these is the death mask of Tutankhamun, which is a masterpiece of Egyptian art. The mask, constructed from gold and adorned with inlay of enamel and semiprecious stones, depicts Tutankhamun with the traditional pharaonic features such as the striped nemes headdress, a broad collar, and a false beard. This imagery symbolizes the divine nature of the pharaoh in the afterlife, connecting him to the gods.
Examples of other types of death masks include the Mask of Agamemnon, which is Mycenaean and not Egyptian, and the Roman death masks made of various materials including wax and bronze. Death masks across different cultures served as important commemorations of the deceased, capturing a likeness or providing a connection to the divine.