The oil lamp depicts tragic theatrical mask with curly hair and wide-opened eyes and mouth. These masks were significant element in the worship of Dionysus likely used in ceremonial rites and celebrations and dedicated to the altar of Dionysus after performances. In the theatre, they enabled an actor to appear and reappear in several different roles, thus preventing the audience from identifying the actor to one specific character. Besides the oil lamps, the motif of the theater mask is very common and appeared on terracotta figurines, sculptures, frescoes and mosaics.

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