Ancient Roman Stone Mask Fitting
Opens tomorrow
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 750 - € 900
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Description from the seller
An Ancient Roman hardstone appliqué in the form of a head, likely a theatre mask. Moulded in the form of a tragic mask, the appliqué displays a serene expression, with almond shaped eyes, curving brows, long nose, and closed mouth still visible on the rounded face. A straight-haired peruke frames the face of the mask. The reverse is unworked and concave. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chipping, pitting, and scratches. Chips to the edges of the reverse.
Theatre was immensely popular in ancient Greece and Rome. The Roman theatrical tradition was developed from ancient Greek tragedies and comedies, from which they took direct inspiration, starting to stage plays in 240 BC. Theatre was usually performed during public festivals, sponsored by the Roman elite in order to gain political popularity, with Pompey the Great commissioning the building of a stone theatre in 55BC, the first permanent theatre built in Rome. Theatrical motifs were often used for decorative purposes in Roman art, featuring on lamps, wall paintings, appliqués, and so on. Masks were prevalent in the theatres of Ancient Greece and Rome, appearing in a variety of colours and designs. Stylistically, they featured over-exaggerated facial features and expressions, both artistically to reflect the drama of the Greco-Roman theatre and practically to highlight different characters and aid in projection of the voice. This particular depiction, with its large smile, was likely a representation of a comedic mask, which often used exaggerated and caricatured expressions.
Measurements: (circa) L 2.2cm x W 2.6cm
Provenance: Ex SM collection London, acquired 1970s-2000s.
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
An Ancient Roman hardstone appliqué in the form of a head, likely a theatre mask. Moulded in the form of a tragic mask, the appliqué displays a serene expression, with almond shaped eyes, curving brows, long nose, and closed mouth still visible on the rounded face. A straight-haired peruke frames the face of the mask. The reverse is unworked and concave. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chipping, pitting, and scratches. Chips to the edges of the reverse.
Theatre was immensely popular in ancient Greece and Rome. The Roman theatrical tradition was developed from ancient Greek tragedies and comedies, from which they took direct inspiration, starting to stage plays in 240 BC. Theatre was usually performed during public festivals, sponsored by the Roman elite in order to gain political popularity, with Pompey the Great commissioning the building of a stone theatre in 55BC, the first permanent theatre built in Rome. Theatrical motifs were often used for decorative purposes in Roman art, featuring on lamps, wall paintings, appliqués, and so on. Masks were prevalent in the theatres of Ancient Greece and Rome, appearing in a variety of colours and designs. Stylistically, they featured over-exaggerated facial features and expressions, both artistically to reflect the drama of the Greco-Roman theatre and practically to highlight different characters and aid in projection of the voice. This particular depiction, with its large smile, was likely a representation of a comedic mask, which often used exaggerated and caricatured expressions.
Measurements: (circa) L 2.2cm x W 2.6cm
Provenance: Ex SM collection London, acquired 1970s-2000s.
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
Circa 2nd-4th Century AD
Name of object
Mask Fitting
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
