3-037-048 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Lamp in the Form of a Reclining Comic Actor, 2nd century A.D. Additional Info: A drunkenly reclining, masked and costumed actor forms the body of this Roman lamp. His legs are crossed and his right hand is raised to his face. His bearded mask appears to represent an enslaved character typical of ancient comedy. He wears a long, close-fitting, textured undersuit and a short draped overgarment. This costume may be similar to network garments occasionally worn by actors on statuettes and in depictions of Thalia, the Muse of comedy. The texture, however, might also represent the fleece garments worn by actors seen in vase-painting.