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Gorgoneion Antefix (Ornamental Roof Tile)
c. 500 BCE
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
This mold-made terracotta antefix, a type of ornamental roof tile, takes the form of a Gorgoneion, a disembodied Gorgon head. Nearly circular in shape, it features bulging, almond-shaped eyes and a grinning mouth with wide tongue and sharp teeth or tusks. S-shaped serpents surround the head, some standing tall. Traces of pigment suggest a more vivid original appearance, perhaps considered both terrifying and protective.
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Details
- Title: Gorgoneion Antefix (Ornamental Roof Tile)
- Date Created: c. 500 BCE
- Physical Dimensions: height: 24.5 cm (9 5/8 in.)
- Provenance: Monnaies et Médailles S.A., Basel, Switzerland (also known as Münzen und Medaillen), sold to Prof. Dr. Hans Jucker., Prof. Dr. Hans Jucker (1918-1984) and Dr. Ines Jucker (née Scherrer, 1922-2013), Bern Switzerland, sold to Michael G. Petropoulos., Michael G. Petropoulos, owner of Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art., The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Type: Ceramic
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2021.3
- Medium: Terracotta (mold-made)
- Fun Fact: The Gorgoneion represents the decapitated head of Medusa, most famous of the three Gorgon sisters.
- Department: Greek and Roman Art
- Culture: Greek/South Italian, Taranto
- Credit Line: Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
- Collection: GR - Greek
- Accession Number: 2021.3
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