Architectural Element with Gorgon Head

Architectural element (antefix) shaped as a Gorgon’s head, characterized by a highly incisive rendering of the features: the eyes and nose are strongly projecting, the cheeks are swollen, and the large, arched mouth shows animal fangs at the corners and a protruding tongue. Traces of color are still clearly visible.

The antefix is an architectural element that in antiquity was placed along roof coverings, set at the ends of the tiles. It served a dual function: on the one hand, it protected the edges of the roof from water and wear, helping to preserve the building; on the other, it acted as an ornament, with shapes and decorations ranging from palmettes and floral motifs to mythological figures or religious symbols. In this case, the antefix depicts a Gorgon, a subject with a strong apotropaic meaning, intended to ward off evil influences through its terrifying appearance. Gorgons are monstrous creatures, generally portrayed with distorted features: a large mouth with animal fangs and a hanging tongue, a pronounced and wrinkled nose, and wide, staring eyes—physiognomic traits that create an image that is both frightening and captivating.