As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of tragedy or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts tragedy; it is used to express the feeling of great loss and misfortune in a play. It is hand-made in Greece by top-notch Greek craftsman (sealed on the back by craftsman) of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details and dimensions 10.2(height)x7.4(width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of tragedy or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts Hercules, the child of Zeus and Alcheme, perhaps the most famous and celebrated of all Greek heroes, a demigod.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of FORTUNE or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts FORTUNE; it is used to express the feeling of great luck or bad luck and what life brings to us all. It is hand-made in Greece by top-notch Greek craftsman (sealed on the back by craftsman) of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details and dimensions 10.2 (height) 7.4(width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of tragedy or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts the supreme Godddess, Artemis, the daughter of Zeus and Leto, born on the island of Delos in the Aegean Sea, was the goddess of hunting, of wild animals, and of archery, the lady of the forest. Like her twin brother Apollo, she hunts with silver arrows. Also she was the goddess of childbirth, of nature, and of the harvest. She was traditionally the friend and protector of youth, especially young women. She was one of the three virgin goddess along with Athena and Hestia. She also presided over childbirth, which may seen odd for a virgin, but goes back to causing her mother no pain when she was born. All wild animals were sacred to her, especially the stag, and she was not slow to punish those who killed, inadvertently or otherwise, her prize animals. A case in point is the time when Agamemnon slew one of her stags and Artemis detained the Greek fleet at Aulis, on its way to Troy, there extracting the sacrifice of Agamemnon's daughter, Iphigenia. She was also the protecting deity of the Amazons, who, like her, were worriers and huntresses and independent of men. The cypress was her tree. The mask is hand-made in Greece of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details with dimensions 10.25 (height) x 7.8 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of MAENAD or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts MAENAD; it is used to express the feeling of great beauty and youth. It is hand-made in Greece by top-notch Greek craftsman (sealed on the back by craftsman) of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details and dimensions 10.2 (height) x 7.4 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of PROPHET or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts PROPHET; it is used to express the feeling of great wisdom and future depictions--the prophet was to fortell the future and all its happenings. It is hand-made in Greece by top-notch Greek craftsman (sealed on the back by craftsman) of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details and dimensions 10.2 (height) x 7.4 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of tragedy or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts the supreme god and ruler of Olympus, the chief deity of the pantheon, the father of gods and men, Zeus. It is hand-made in Greece of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details with dimensions 11.8 (height)7.2 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of tragedy or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts the supreme god and ruler of Olympus, the chief deity of the pantheon, the father of gods and men, Zeus. It is hand-made in Greece of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details with dimensions 11.8 (height)7.2 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of tragedy or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts one of the three Gorgons, the most famous, Medusa. Medusa was the youngest of the Gorgons and originally very beautiful. She fell in love with the god Poseidon and appeared in his temple. For this profanity, Poseidon took away her beauty and replaced her hair with hissing, wrinkling snakes. She lived with her two sisters (Stheina and Euryale) in a cave at the entrance to Tartaros. It was the Greek hero Perseus who finally slew her using the shield of polished brass that Athena had given him to be protected against the Gorgon's stare, which could turn a man to stone instantly. Creeping up on her, Perseus cut off her head and from her trunk sprang the winged horse Pegasus and Chrysaor, the father of Geroneus. This piece is hand-made in Greece by expert Greek craftsman (sealed on the back by craftsman) of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details and dimensions 10 (height) 10 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.
As theatrical devices, they were first used by the ancient Greeks as an essential part of their theatrical entertainment. They are linked with theatrical developments growing out of the Dionysian masquerades. The more-than-life-sized masks ancient Greeks used completely covered the head and they were made of painted canvas with openings for the eyes and the mouth. The Greek theatrical mask served a threefold purpose. Since only three male speaking actors were permitted on the Greek stage, the use of mask permitted each one of the three to double or triple the number of roles he could assume in one play. It enabled him to play female parts, to appear in various stages of manhood, and to sustain and intensify extreme characterizations when the role demanded them. The second function was to help the spectators to recognize characters more easily, for the open theater was vast, even larger than some of the modern stadiums, and the spectators, of which there were often tens of thousands, were necessarily far removed from the stage. A definitely characterized and familiar mask, such as one of YOUTH or comedy, helped identify the character, even when seen from a great distance. A third purpose of the mask was to amplify the voice; the mouth was equipped with a brass device similar to a trumpet which projected the words spoken by the actor to the farthest reaches of the theater. This beautiful mask depicts YOUTH; it is used to express the feeling of being young and beautiful. It is hand-made in Greece by top-notch Greek craftsman (sealed on the back by craftsman) of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details and dimensions 10.2 (height) 7.4 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift