Relief plaque depicting theatrical masks
Inventory number
ΕΑΜ 382
Category
Sculpture
Period
Hellenistic Period
Date
2nd cent. BC
Dimensions
Height: 0.675 m
Length: 0.73 m
Material
Marble from Penteli
Location
Gallery of the Acropolis Slopes
It was found in 1865 during the excavation of the Theatre of Dionysos and is mended of three fragments. Many parts of its front as well as the two narrow sides are broken.
The plaque depicts six theatrical masks of women set up in two rows with three masks on each row. All are identical with some differences only in the hair details. They most likely belong to the chorus’ members who act as young women during a drama performance.
The masks’ arrangement and the angle at which they are placed indicate that the plaque hanged high enough to be seen by the spectators. This fact led to the assumption that the plaque belonged to the sculptural decoration of the Theatre of Dionysos’ stage. The plaque is considered to be an ancient copy of an older prototype dated to the second half of the 4th century BC.
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