Bronze Incense Burner in the Shape of a Comic Actor on an Altar in the Getty Villa, June 2016

Title: Thymiaterion in the Form of a Comic Actor Seated on an Altar and a Separate Theatrical Wig

Artist/Maker: Unknown

Culture: Roman

Place: Roman Empire (Place created)

Date: first half of 1st century A.D.

Medium: Bronze with silver inlay

Object Number: 87.AC.143

Alternate Titles: Incense Burner in the Shape of an Actor as a Slave on an Altar (Display Title)
Incense Burner in the Form of a Comic Actor on an Altar (Display Title)

Object Type: Thymiaterion

An actor sitting upon an altar decorated with erotes and garlands forms the body of this thymiaterion or incense burner. He wears the typical costume and mask of a Greek New Comedy slave, with its rolled hairstyle, snub nose, and wide open mouth. The figure's eyes are inlaid with silver and his left hand is pierced to hold a detachable object, probably a wig. Depictions of actors sitting on altars are found in both Hellenistic and Roman art, and some scholars have suggested that these may allude to a specific scene in an unidentified play.

The top of the altar pivots open to allow incense to be put inside, and the bottom has air holes to facilitate the burning. The smoke from the incense would have risen through the actor's hollow body and issued from his mouth.

Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/12890/unknown-maker-thymiaterion-in-the-form-of-a-comic-actor-seated-on-an-altar-and-a-separate-theatrical-wig-roman-first-half-of-1st-century-ad/#d5762a802c763cf5283e110913fa5e9ea7772404