Description:
A mould-made mask, showing a female face framed by an elaborate hairstyle with corkscrew locks. The details are executed in high relief. The round and wide open eyes, with notched pupils and irises, are framed by carefully executed eyelids. The mouth is wide open, showing the tongue. On the back side fingerprints are visible of the artist who created this mask. There is a suspension hole above. The mask still has remnants of the original colours.
This mask belongs to the category theatre masks, which are characterised by their wide-open mouths and eyes.
The ancient authenticity of the object was confirmed by a thermoluminescence test.
Dating:
Roman, circa first-second century C.E.
Size:
height 12.2 cm.
Published:
BAAF, the Brussels Ancient Art Fair, vol. 12 (2014), p. 11, no. 1.
Provenance:
Collection of S. Schulz, Saarbrücken, Germany, acquired in the first half of the 20th century; thence Galerie Antiken-Kabinett Gackstätter, Frankfurt, Germany; thence Christoph Bacher Archäologie, Vienna, Austria; thence U.S. Midwest private collection.
Condition:
A short stress crack on the neck, otherwise intact with numerous colour remains. TL tested.
Price
€ 2,800
Stock number:
C1360