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 , Hermes--the messenger of Olympian gods and god of travelers and commerce. Dionysus was the god of wine, cheer, mystic ecstasy, and vegetation. The birth of Dionysus, son of Zeus and Semele, was frowned upon by Hera, Zeus' wife, who falsely befriended Semela encouraging her to ask that Zeus should appear before her in all his great majesty as god of thunder. Zeus swore to grant Semele's request and appeared as a display of thunder and lightning to Semele, a display that killed her. As she died, Semele gave birth to Dionysus, who of course died, but whom Zeus restored to life. Fearing Hera's reprisals, Zeus charged cunning Hermes to convey the child to Nysa, where Silenos and the nymphs brought up the infant The mask is hand-made in Greece of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details with dimensions 10.75 (height) 8.5 (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 goddess Athena who was the personification of several concepts. She was the martial goddess, one who had entered life dressed for war and uttering battle-cries. But unlike the god of war Ares, whose goal was merely slaughter, massacre, and bloodshed, often without reason, Athena looked on battle as the medium to advance to prosperity and peace-a means to an end. She represented the intellectual and civilized side of war, she was not so much a fighter as a wise and prudent adviser. She also was the goddess of intellect and wisdom, ingenuity and skill, the patroness of arts and crafts, representing the concept of the superiority of the mind over physical power and violence of war. Athena is the patroness of the city of Athens. The mask is hand-made in Greece of special plaster beautifully colored by hand with refined and exquisite details with dimensions 11 (height) 8.25 (width). It has a built-in hanger on the back. Unique decorative possession and impressive gift.