Votive Mask

They were made in ancient Centuripe, west of Catania, Sicily, 100-300 BC. Together with other finds they were discovered in a cemetery, a setting that establishes a devotional context for their production. They emulate types of full-size theatrical masks that were used in performances of New Comedy, popular throughout southern Italy and Sicily from the late fourth century BC to Roman times. The subjects of these comedies were derived largely form day-to-day activities of family life and revolve mostly around improbably romantic entanglements. Like a master falling in love with an employee. New Comedy masks typically represent stock comedic characteristics such as prostitutes of all ages, masters and slaves, young and old men, parasites, flatterers, and musicians.这批文物制作于公元前100至公元前300年，出自西西里卡塔尼亚西侧的古森图里佩（Centuripe）。它们与其他出土遗存一同被发现于一处墓地，该出土环境可佐证其制作带有宗教敬奉的属性。 该类器物仿制了用于新喜剧（New Comedy）演出的全尺寸戏剧面具形制——新喜剧自公元前4世纪晚期直至罗马时代，广泛流行于意大利南部与西西里地区。 这类喜剧的题材大多取材于日常家庭生活，剧情核心多围绕着荒诞离奇的情感纠葛展开，例如主人与家仆相恋这类桥段。 新喜剧面具通常会塑造定型的喜剧角色，涵盖各年龄段的娼妓、主仆、老少男性、食客、谄媚者与乐师等。