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Apr 13, 2021

Gorgoneion Antefix (Ornamental Roof Tile)

c. 500 BC

Greek/South Italian, Taranto

Terracotta (mold-made)

Height: 24.5 cm (9 5/8 in.)

Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2021.3

Location

102D Pre-Roman

Did you know?

The Gorgoneion represents the decapitated head of Medusa, most famous of the three Gorgon sisters.

Description

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.

Provenance

By 1953

Monnaies et Médailles S.A., Basel, Switzerland (also known as Münzen und Medaillen), sold to Prof. Dr. Hans Jucker.

1953-2011

Prof. Dr. Hans Jucker (1918-1984) and Dr. Ines Jucker (née Scherrer, 1922-2013), Bern Switzerland, sold to Michael G. Petropoulos.

2011-2020

Michael G. Petropoulos, owner of Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

2020-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Münzen und Medaillen A.G. Monnaies d'or gauloises, grecques, romaines et byzantines ; objets d'art grecs. Basel: Münzen und Medaillen, 1953. p. 29 and pl. XI, lot 299

Schefold, Karl. Meisterwerke griechischer Kunst. Basel. Kunsthalle. Catalogues. 1960-1961. Basel: B. Schwabe, 1960. pp. 61, 230-231, no. V 275

Vereinigung der Freunde Antiker Kunst (Switzerland), and Zentralbibliothek Solothurn. Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern-Biel-Solothurn: [Ausstellung] Zentralbibliothek Solothurn, 21. Oktober bis 3. Dezember 1967. [Solothurn, Switzerland?]: [Zentralbibliothek?], 1967. p. 137, no. 334

Herdejürgen, Helga. Götter, Menschen und Dämonen: Terrakotten aus Unteritalien : [Sonderausstellung im Antikenmuseum Basel, 16 April bis 20. August 1978]. Basel: Archäologischer Verlag, in Kommission bei Philipp von Zabern, Mainz, 1978. p. 89, no. C4

“New on View.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 61, no. 3 (Summer 2021): Back cover. Reproduced and Mentioned: Back cover.

Exhibition history

Meisterwerke Griechischer Kunst, Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland (18 June-13 September 1960).

Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern-Biel-Solothurn, Zentralbibliothek Solothurn, Switzerland (21 October-3 December 1967).

Götter, Menschen und Dämonen: Terrakotten aus Unteritalien, Antikenmuseum Basel, Switzerland (16 April-20 August 1978).

Galerie Rhéa “Hallmark", Galerie Rhéa, Brussels Ancient Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium (6-10 June 2012).

Galerie Rhéa “Hallmark", Galerie Rhéa, TEFAF Maastricht, The Netherlands (Every March, 2012-2018).

Cite this page

{{cite web|title=Gorgoneion Antefix (Ornamental Roof Tile)|url=https://clevelandart.org/art/2021.3|year=c. 500 BC|access-date=26 March 2023|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

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Gorgoneion Antefix (Ornamental Roof Tile)

Gorgoneion Antefix (Ornamental Roof Tile)

Greek/South Italian, Taranto

Location

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