Object ID
2013.4.1
Object Name
Mask
Object Collection
Date Created
February 7, 2013, 2004
Object Entities
Object Description
A white mask with a flat top tied with a twine string. The mask is painted with bright red cheeks and lips, thin black eyebrows, one golden cirlce on the forehead and long eyelashes. There is an elborate mustache of alternating black and gold twisted thread. The mustache sticks out and curves up from under the nose. The inside of the mask is unpainted beeswax.
Origin
A Prosopos mask from Naoussa, Imathia. This mask would be worn during the Boules Carnival. There are two workshops that make these maks from 18th century molds. The mask is worn by dancers in the city of Noussa during the carnival. It was originally worn to celebrate spring and the god Dionysus. In 1705 many citizens of Naoussa were killed by the Ottoman army for not sending their children to be Janissary soldiers. The white of the mask symbolizes winter while the red symbolizes the coming of spring.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Mask, February 7, 2013, 2004, Toula Georgakopoulos' Objects, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/9540. Accessed 04/20/24.