These miniature terracotta masks are on display at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam. They were made in ancient Centuripe, west of Catania, Sicily, 100-300 BC. Together with other finds they were discovered in a cemetery, a setting that establishes a devotional context for their production.

They emulate types of full-size theatrical masks that were used in performances of New Comedy, popular throughout southern Italy and Sicily from the late fourth century BC to Roman times. The subjects of these comedies were derived largely form day-to-day activities of family life and revolve mostly around improbably romantic entanglements. Like a master falling in love with an employee. New Comedy masks typically represent stock comedic characteristics such as prostitutes of all ages, masters and slaves, young and old men, parasites, flatterers, and musicians.

In Centuripe is de eerste helft van de 3de eeuw v. Chr. aardewerk gemaakt dat ná het bakproces in vele kleuren werd beschilderd. Het brengen van het offer op een altaar vóór de eigenlijke huwelijksplechtigheid is vaak afgebeeld. Apollo of Hymenaeus (de god van de bruiloft) is hier links aanwezig. Rechts is de bruid bezig met het offer en kijkt om naar de bruidegom. Als symbool van liefde zweeft Eros tussen hen in.

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