| This colourful antefix or tile was once attached to the eaves of a roof on an ancient Greek temple built around 500 BC in Italy. It exploits the protective power of the gorgon Medusa for religious architecture. The monstrous face of the gorgon Medusa features staring eyes, a grimacing mouth, large animal fangs, a protruding tongue and a straggly beard. Scary to look at, it was also believed to ward off evil. Greek and Etruscan buildings often featured such tiles, which were also highly decorative. ? The Trustees of the British Museum (2012). |
