Alleged death-mask.
The Kesselstadt death-mask was discovered by Dr. Ludwig Becker, librarian at the ducal palace at Darmstadt, in a rag-shop at Mayence in 1849. The features resemble those of an alleged portrait of Shakespeare (dated 1637) which Dr. Becker purchased in 1847. This picture had long been in the possession of the family of Count Francis von Kesselstadt of Mayence, who died in 1843. Dr. Becker brought the mask and the picture to England in 1849, and Richard Owen supported the theory that the mask was taken from Shakespeare’s face after death, and was the foundation of the bust in Stratford Church. The mask was for a long time in Dr. Becker’s private apartments at the ducal palace, Darmstadt. [296a] The features are singularly attractive; but the chain of evidence which would identify them with Shakespeare is incomplete. [296b]