600-900 BC. Etruscan. Terracotta mask of a male figure with long hair and full beard; the hairs are depicted in a stylised manner with individual tufts detailed by a combed texture. His heavy brows sit above drilled eye sockets, a prominent nose, and fine, pursed lips. This enigmatic figure may represent Tinia, an Etruscan counterpart of the Graeco-Roman thunder god Zeus/Jupiter. Tinia is king of the gods in the Etruscan pantheon and is often depicted as heavily bearded, as in this example. Good condition; on a custom-made stand.Size: L:170mm / W:130mm ; 265g; Provenance: Important London collection of Ancient art; formed in 1970s then passed by descent.