A MARBLE MASK WITH THE FACE OF SILENUS ITALY, 19TH – EARLY 20TH CENTURY |

after the antique, carved to depict dramatically the countenance of a masculine figure, rendered with an intense gaze through the round eyes pierced with apertures, beneath deeply furrowed brows, the face centred with a pronounced nose above moustache falling neatly along the sides of the open mouth, the partially tonsured figure framed by a prominent forehead lined with wrinkles as well as curly locks of hair and beard, mounted on a metal stand

Sotheby's London, 2nd July 2013, lot 112.

The mask has a diagonal break which has been sympathetically restored, with associated cracks. Some minor nicks to the extremities and natural inclusions.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present mask is probably based upon an oscillum, a type of Roman decorative object, which took the form of a theatrical mask, disc, shield or rectangular relief. Made of marble and sometimes polychromed, they feature in Pompeian wall paintings, suspended from garlands hanging within fictive colonnades. Given that oscilla are often decorated with Dionysiac imagery, it is likely that they were connected with cult ritual, while also being seen to have apotropaic properties.