The Classical World

A Votive Mask in the form of a Bearded Man

Terracotta
Romano-British, ca. 3rd century A.D.
H. 12.2 cm

With its unwavering frontality and gaping maw of a mouth positioned roughly in its center, this votive mask evokes the famous “Bocca della Verità” in Rome although originally hailing from Roman Britain. The details are rendered with exceptional care, with the upper row of teeth bounded by a extreme moustache, prolific curly beard jutting below, and eyes beneath prominent brow, peering out with deeply pierced centers.

Condition: Reassembled from two large fragments

Provenance: Charles Winn (1795-1874), 8th Baronet of Nostell, Priory, Yorkshire, UK; thence by descent until 1998 when sold through Christie’s, lot 319

Item reference: CL0615