Head, Roman Period, Mediterranean Region, 1st Century B.c. – 2nd Century A.d.

Grotesque head, likely depicting a comic actor

Dark beige terracotta. A few small chips, slight surface wear, and signs of age. Mounted on a modern black iron base.

Roman period, Mediterranean region
1st century BCE – 2nd century CE

Dimensions: H. 5.7 cm – W. 5 cm

This head captivates with the profoundly human intensity of its expression. Beneath a forehead marked by a distinctive protrusion, the strongly aquiline nose dominates a face with heavy eyelids and delicately pursed lips. The vigorous modeling, playing on relief and shadows, gives this face an almost carnal presence. The delightful exaggeration of its features brings it close to the repertoire of actors in ancient theater.

As the heir to Greek theater, Roman theater was based on codified roles whose masks, postures, and facial expressions had to be immediately recognizable to the audience. Elderly men, slaves, parasites, or common folk thus came to life through deliberately exaggerated features. This head retains all the intensity of this theatrical language: a striking, almost lifelike face that still seems ready to take the stage.

Sold with a certificate of authenticity from expert S. Reynes and an invoice from Galerie Ocarina.
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