Location

102C Greek

Fun Fact

Despite the connections between satyrs and Dionysos, not all satyr-head antefixes belonged to Dionysian buildings.

Description

This frontal satyr face, easily recognized by its snub nose and equine ears, served numerous purposes. As an antefix, it capped the open end of a roof tile, preventing wind, water, and pests from entering the building below. With its naturalistic mold-made features, enhanced with pigment and perhaps additional stamped and carved details, the antefix would also have provided striking visual ornament, especially when seen in long rows high above.

Citations

Howard, Rossiter. "Greek Sculptures in Terra-Cotta." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 14, no. 2 (1927): 21-22, with ill. following.

F. A. W. "The Bequests of Mary Warden Harkness: A Tribute and an Accounting." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 15, no. 2 (1928): 43-50. Ill. p. 46.

Padgett, J. Michael, William A. P. Childs, and D. S. Tsiaphakē. The Centaur's Smile: The Human Animal in Early Greek Art. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Art Museum, 2003. Pp. 251-253, cat. 59.

Exhibition history

Princeton University Art Museum (10/11/2003 - 1/18/2004) and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (2/22/2003 - 5/16/2004): "The Centaur's Smile: The Human Animal in Early Greek Art", exh. cat. no. 60, p. 251-252.

The Centaur's Smile: The Human Animal in Early Greek Art. Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, NJ (organizer) (October 11, 2003-January 18, 2004); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (February 22-May 16, 2004).

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Antefix with Satyr Face

Greek/South Italian, Taranto

Location

Fun Fact

Description