AN ATTIC TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF A MIDDLE COMEDY ACTOR
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AN ATTIC TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF A MIDDLE COMEDY ACTOR

380-350 B.C.

Details
AN ATTIC TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF A MIDDLE COMEDY ACTOR
380-350 B.C.
Wearing the mask of an Old Man with a long beard, with knitted brow, wearing a conical pilos headdress and heavy travelling cloak, seated on a cylindrical altar, with chin resting on his left hand, his finger to his lip, his right arm resting across his stomach
3¾ in. (9.6 cm.) high
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
T. B. L. Webster, Monuments illustrating Old and Middle Comedy, 3rd ed. rev. by J. R. Green, London, 1978, p. 57, AT21f.

Cf. M. Bieber, The History of the Greek and Roman Theater, Princeton, 1971, p. 47, fig. 197 for the type (see lot 230 for another figure belonging to the same group). Identified as one of a pair of seated figures with contrasting expressions, the above 'traveller' appears dejected and has his finger greedily in his mouth. Although still with the costumes of Old Comedy the actors have begun to move towards the individual characterization of New Comedy, Bieber suggests particular roles for each of this group.

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