Ancient Roman Marble Important oscillum with Theatrical Mask. 24 cm Diameter.

Oscillum with Theatrical Mask Roman Emprie Marble 1st century AD 24 cm Diameter. 2,4 cm Wide. With a professional rotary stand. PROVENANCE: English private collection formed between 1970s and late 1990s. DOCUMENTS: Including a certificate of autenticity and an export license issued by the Ministry of Culture. CONDITION: Fragment missing, otherwise intact, see the photos. Not restored. DESCRIPTION: \t Circular oscillum carved on both sides: on the main one a on-profile female mask from the tragedy with an aquiline nose and a pointed chin; on the rear side, a running rabbit. Both sides are characterized by a smooth edge, slightly lifted. Slightly porous surfaces. Traces of original iron uspension tang are stil visible. Oscilla is a word applied in Latin usage to small figures, most commonly masks or faces, which were hung up as offerings to various deities, either for propitiation or expiation, and in connection with festivals and other ceremonies. It is usually taken as the plural of oscillum (diminutive of os) , a little face. As the oscilla swung in the wind, oscillare came to mean to swing, hence in English oscillation, the act of swinging backwards and forwards, periodic motion to and fro, hence any variation or fluctuation, actual or figurative. Oscilla tended to be hung between the columns in the peristyle so they moved with the wind, as can still be seen in some houses of Pompeii. Notes: The piece includes authenticity certificate. The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested.