
Bronze tragic mask
Bronze tragic mask
Bronze tragic mask 4th c. BC. The mask was a basic accessory of the scene appearance from the beginnings of the ancient theatre. In addition to the gestures, the body language, the text and the costume it contributed to the expression of emotional states and it boosted the audience’s empathy, meaning their identification with the hero. There were different types of masks depending on the genre of ancient Greek drama (tragedy, comedy, satyr plays), the age and the social role of the impersonated character (i.e. old man, young man, servant etc). The bronze mask of Piraeus belongs to the tragic mask category. The eyes are round and big, the eyebrows intensely joined, the mouth widely open in the “trumpet mouth” way and surrounded by a thick beard. The hair intense and curly surrounds the face.Τhe style of the hair led the researchers to believe that it was made by the 4th century Athenian sculptor Silanion. There are two holes for suspension at the top of the mask.