This haunting face, cast in wax, is the visage of one of the greatest and most controversial men in British history. Oliver Cromwell, one of the major figures in the English Civil War, was Lord Protector of England from 1653 to 1658–a fancy title for what was essentially a military dictator. This mask was cast from his face shortly after his death in early September 1659. Various copies of it exist in several museums, but this particular death mask is held by the British Museum.

Read More: 42 Historical Objects, No. 23: the death mask of Oliver Cromwell. | www.seanmunger.com.