Sujet

Thymiaterion in the Form of a Comic Actor Seated on an Altar and a Separate..., 1st half of 1st cent Creator: Unknown.

Légende

Thymiaterion in the Form of a Comic Actor Seated on an Altar and a Separate Theatrical Wig, first half of 1st century A.D. Additional Info: An actor sitting upon an altar decorated with erotes and garlands forms the body of this thymiaterion or incense burner. He wears the typical costume and mask of a Greek New Comedy slave, with its rolled hairstyle, snub nose, and wide open mouth. The figure's eyes are inlaid with silver and his left hand is pierced to hold a detachable object, probably a wig. Depictions of actors sitting on altars are found in both Hellenistic and Roman art, and some scholars have suggested that these may allude to a specific scene in an unidentified play. The top of the altar pivots open to allow incense to be put inside, and the bottom has air holes to facilitate the burning. The smoke from the incense would have risen through the actor's hollow body and issued from his mouth.

Crédit

Photo12/Heritage Images/Heritage Art

Notre référence

HRM24A66_187

Model release

NA

Property release

NA

Licence

Droits gérés

Format disponible

46,6Mo (1,1Mo) / 27,8cm x 42,0cm / 3283 x 4960 (300dpi)

Mots clés

nature Italy people male man men mask historical sitting flower flowers plant plants country Rome entertainment metal figure figures bronze guy costume color silver Greek dress Greece garland Roman location century antiquity comedy wig artefact altar concept actors incense acting incense burner artifact seated APPAREL antiquities slavery actor slave Colour Thespian Hellenistic Ancient Roman Ancient Rome censer history historic 1st century Unknown 1st century AD Heritage Art Implements bronze with silver inlay enslaved person clothing & dress fashion & clothing comic actor Thymiaterion thymiaterion