Fragments of a Marble Waterspout

Waterspout modeled in the shape of a lion’s head, of which fragments corresponding to the mane and the mandible are preserved.

This architectural element, carved from fine marble from the island of Paros, depicts a lion’s head and functioned as a waterspout. It was positioned along the eaves of the roof of the great Temple of Hera—at the edge of the roof tiles—and its purpose was to channel rainwater, which flowed out through the open mouth of the animal. Despite the incomplete preservation of the lion’s face, the precision and quality of the surviving fragments reflect the high artistic level of the original sculpture.