Comic Theatre Mask
Handcrafted · Made to order · Price on request
A strongly modelled theatrical face with pale colouring, golden hair, a pronounced nose and an expansive open mouth. The painted red-brown mouth surround gives the expression particular force, while the raised brows and cut-out eyes shape its direct, frontal presence.
The Archaeopolis mask
The studio photograph shows the individual Comic Theatre Mask in the Archaeopolis props archive. Its finish and expressive proportions belong to the contemporary piece. The archive identifies it as a comic theatre mask, without assigning it to a named ancient character or a particular excavated original.
Historical and archaeological context
Ancient Greek theatrical masks helped distinguish characters through facial expression, hair and other visible conventions. The Hellenic Ministry of Culture’s account of ancient masks discusses their use by actors and chorus members, and the development of recognisable character types in comedy. Read the Ministry’s account of theatrical masks.
A surviving comic-mask model
The Metropolitan Museum’s terracotta comic mask, accession 74.51.1520, is Greek, Cypriot, and dates to the late fourth–early third century BCE. The museum identifies a youthful type from New Comedy. At only 4.8 cm high, with holes suggesting suspension, it is evidence for mask imagery rather than a full-size mask worn by an actor. It provides a historical comparison for expressive theatrical faces; the Archaeopolis design is not presented as a replica of this miniature.
Your commission
Available by enquiry for a mask commission. Tell us whether the piece is intended for performance, a display or a production. Materials, measurements, fit, fastening, finish and delivery schedule are agreed before ordering. The quotation concerns the mask; any costume, musical instrument or other prop shown in an archive scene is discussed separately.
MADE BY HUMAN HANDS
Every Archaeopolis object is handcrafted.
Made by people, with time, care and individual attention.