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Details
LOT 254623
Roman Agate Cameo of a Theatrical Mask
1ST CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (1.07 grams, 13 mm).
Showing a New Comedy, 'Cook' type theatre mask with an open mouth; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
Provenance
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.
Literature
Cf. Spier, J., Ancient Gems and finger Rings, catalogue of the collections, the J. Paul Getty MuseumMalibu, 1992, no.292, for a gemstone with similar bearded comic mask facing three-quarter right.
Footnotes
Miniature models of theatrical masks were produced in great quantity in the ancient world, and they could be linked with the Dionysiac mysteries, in association with funeral rites, illustrating the Dionysiac thiasos, the orgiastic world of Satyrs and Maenads. However they can also be miniatures models of masks stylistically and technically very homogeneous, linked with the highbrow Sophoclean and Euripidean tragedy, or with so-called Middle Comedy.
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LOT 254623
Roman Agate Cameo of a Theatrical Mask
Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£500 (EUR 580; USD 675) +BP*
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