120. Theatre mask

The mask shows a young woman with long hair falling over the shoulders and forming corkscrew-curls at the temples. Around the head she wears a broad fillet, which is tied in a bow above the forehead. The hair on top of the head is tied up as well, but here the arrangement is unclear. The eyes are wide open and the irises are marked by drill-holes. The mouth is open.

Colossal masks of this kind were often used as decoration on Roman theatre buildings. Fragments have been found near the Theatre of Marcellus in Rome and by the theatre in Capua in Campania. The masks represent the “real” masks that were used in the performance of tragedies, comedies and satyr plays.

The author Pollux from the 2nd century A. C. wrote a list which makes it possible to identify some of the characters from, for instance, the New Comedy: “The merry young man”, “the slave” and others.

From the private sphere similar masks are known, but in smaller dimensions, used for decorative purposes. On funerary monuments they occur quite often.

2nd century A. C.

I. N. 615
Marble.
H. 0.84; w. 0.78; d. 0.39.
The hair has been broken; there is minor damage to the left eyelid and on the hair in the forehead. The upper eye lids and the tip of the nose are restored in plaster. Otherwise well-preserved. Underneath is a hole for fastening.

Acquired 1893 from Villa Spithoever in Rome, with 121—123. Allegedly found on the properties of the villa, the area of the ancient Horti Sallustiani (Gardens of Sallustius).