Description: An elderly male actor is represented, wearing sandals and a comic mask, but draped and posed in the manner characteristic of Priapus. His garment is a baggy, long-sleeved and hooded dress which, at the back, reaches to just below the level of his knees. At the front, the actor clutches the hem of his skirt with both hands, lifting it high to display his erect phallus and a pile of roundish fruits which are heaped within the folds. The mans pose is somewhat more animated than that commonly given to real Priapi: his feet are planted apart, his right leg is slightly bent, and his torso twosted a little to the right. He has, moreover, the stooped back, pot-belly, and scrawny limbs of a rather deformed old man. (Hutchinson). Face mask a grimace with large upturned mouth, wide flat nose and wide set eyes. Hood tunic adds to a rather hunchbacked appearance. Arms at sides, hands holding hem of skirt. Stands on a small rectangular base. Loos folds of gown at front emphasises his hunched pose. Scalloped edge of skirt, drapery loosely depicted by incised grooves. Top of head bald, ears quite large. Wavy incised hair at back of head. Figure leans back.
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Image: Courtesy of Colchester Castle Museum.