HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 3RD-2ND CENTURY B.C.

This mask, with a distinctive peak of hair on the forehead, a comparatively small nose and a raised right eyebrow, either represents the Leading Old Man or the Long-Bearded Wavy-Haired Old Man of New Comedy (see pp. 9-12 in T.B.L. Webster, Monuments Illustrating New Comedy). It was designed to be suspended and viewed from below, perhaps in a symposium room.