PUNIC MASK
Protohistory
PUNIC MASK
Terracotta.
Height: 19 cm. Width: 15 cm.
Protohistory. 4th-3rd century B.C.
Origin
Trebujena. Cádiz.
Description
Expressive representation in baked clay limited to the face, with openings for the eyes and mouth. It is very expressive, with raised eyebrows, large eyes and an open mouth pulling a face. It appears to be hand-made and preserves the essential features of the group known as “grotesque-expressive”. However, it is a very free and certainly local example of the final evolutionary stages of the traditional Punic type. These masks are generally considered to be religious objects with a cult or funereal character.
Bibliography
- Ferrer Albelda, E., Sibón Olano J.F., y Mancheño Sagrario D. (2000): “Máscaras púnicas de Gadir”. Actas del IV Congreso Internacional de Estudios Fenicios y Púnicos Vol. II. Cádiz 1995, pp. 593-605.
